Chaoliandao Lighthouse, Maritime navigational structure in Shandong, China.
Chaoliandao Lighthouse stands on Chaolian Island, 31.4 km off Laoshan District, Qingdao, in the Yellow Sea. The lighthouse complex covers 333 m² and consists of an octagonal stone tower 12.8 m high, topped with a copper roof, connected to a one-storey keeper's house with red-tiled roofs and wooden verandas. The tower's stone spiral staircase leads to the lantern.
A temporary light was installed on Chaolian Island in December 1898, visible for 10 nautical miles. The permanent lighthouse, built of grey sandstone, was planned in 1902 but its lamp arrived late and was installed in March 1903; it entered service in October 1903. In August 1914 the German garrison destroyed the equipment before withdrawing, and it was repaired in August 1915. US Navy aircraft bombed the island on 31 July 1945, destroying the fog signal, machinery and quarters; repairs were completed on 28 August 1948.
The island is also called Chaolian, Chaolian, Dalian or Chalien in Chinese records, and the light has marked the first Qingdao-related navigation point for ships approaching from the south since 1898, when a temporary light with a 10-nautical-mile range was installed. In fog the station fired a powder charge every 10 minutes to signal its position.
The lighthouse stands on Chaolian Island, 31.4 km off the coast of Laoshan District, Qingdao, and is reached only by boat; there is no regular public access to the island. The tower is 12.8 m tall and rises to 68.8 m above sea level, with the lantern reached by a stone spiral staircase. The light flashes white every 10 seconds and is visible for 24 nautical miles.
The tower's octagonal stone shaft is topped by a copper roof, and a stone spiral staircase climbs to the lantern. The keeper's house beside it has red tile roofs, a wooden veranda on the south facade and stepped gables at both ends. The southeast wing projects about 5 m beyond the original plan.
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