Keelung Lighthouse, Maritime heritage monument in Taibai Village, Taiwan
Keelung Lighthouse is a white tower topped with a black lantern dome, standing on a headland at the entrance to Keelung harbor in northern Taiwan. It sits on elevated ground above the sea and remains an active navigational aid.
The lighthouse was built in 1900 under Japanese colonial administration, as part of broader improvements to harbor infrastructure along the Taiwan coast. A concrete casing added in 1962 changed the outer appearance of the original brick tower.
For generations of sailors and fishing crews entering or leaving the port, the lighthouse has served as a fixed point of reference on the water. Its light is still used for navigation today, making it a living part of the harbor's daily routine rather than just a monument.
The lighthouse is managed by port authorities and is not generally open to the public, but it can be seen clearly from the shoreline and from nearby viewpoints on the headland. Visiting on a clear morning or evening gives the best view of both the tower and the surrounding water.
The concrete shell added in 1962 hides the original brick structure underneath, meaning the tower looks newer than it actually is. This makes it one of the few still-operating colonial-era lighthouses on the Taiwan coast with its historic core intact inside a modern exterior.
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