Matijiao Lighthouse

Welcome to the Hufeisen Riff Lighthouse, located on the Ma Teng Jiao reef in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. This lighthouse was built between 1903-1904 and is a popular tourist destination due to its historical significance and unique location. Ma Teng Jiao reef, also known as Canglang Shi, is situated on the west side of Xiao Gang in Qingdao. It is an underwater reef that only appears during low tide and covers an area of nearly one square kilometer. Due to its U-shaped structure resembling a horseshoe, it was named "Hufeisen Riff" (horseshoe reef) by the Germans. The lighthouse is located at the western end of the reef and is considered the most important lighthouse in Jiaozhou Bay because of its proximity to the main channel outside the port of Qingdao and the nearby Xiao Gang port. The lighthouse is made of stone and has a white and green horizontal stripe pattern. It stands at a height of 12.20 meters and has a navigation light that flashes twice every six seconds with a range of up to 5 nautical miles on clear days. Since its construction, it has been an unmanned navigational beacon. During the Qingdao campaign in 1914, the lighthouse was destroyed by the German army but was repaired by Japanese authorities the following year. In 1991, a radar responder was installed, and in July 1997, the foundation of the lighthouse was reinforced. The lighthouse was also equipped with solar power generation equipment, and the original lantern was removed due to water leakage. In 2011, the Qingdao Navigation Management Office renovated the tower, installed a new lantern, and updated the lighthouse's equipment, including the installation of LED navigation lights with a range of up to 10 nautical miles. On January 10, 2013, the lighthouse was included in the third national census of immovable cultural relics in the Beicheng District. To visit the Hufeisen Riff Lighthouse, you can take a boat from Qingdao's port to the reef. Once you arrive, you can climb up the stairs to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding area. You can also learn about the history of the lighthouse and its significance as a navigational beacon for ships entering Jiaozhou Bay. In conclusion, the Hufeisen Riff Lighthouse is a must-visit destination for tourists interested in history and maritime culture. Its unique location on Ma Teng Jiao reef and its historical significance make it an important landmark in Qingdao.

Location: Qingdao

Inception: 1904

Height: 11 m

Source: Wikimedia