Facade of Cihou Lighthouse

Surrounded by nature, Kaohsiung's harbor is one of the city's finest landmarks. This magnificent port was once central to Kaohsiung's defense and continues to serve as a modern international shipping hub. Its scenic surroundings provide a great place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon, watching vessels come and go. One particular scenic area is the Cihou Lighthouse. Located on Cihou Mountain. The lighthouse is symbolic of the ports modernization, historical importance and over a century of providing a guiding light for mariners.

1860 marked the end of the Second Anglo-Chinese War, forcing Ching Dynasty Emperor to sign a treaty allowing several ports to be constructed in the previously off-limits Taiwan. These four ports included Danshui, Jilong, Anping and Dagou (a name Kaohsiung used until the early 1900s). Dagou was originally an auxiliary port of Anping. As the sugar industry grew, the Dagou port became more prominent. The need for a lighthouse became apparent and in 1883 a red Chinese-style, clay, brick lighthouse was erected on the top northern end of Cihou Mountain. The lighthouse had an ineffective range of only ten nautical miles and was soon abandoned. The only remaining structure of the original lighthouse is the foundation, located northeast of the current lighthouse.

Spectacular scenic views from Cihou Lighthouse

Taiwan fell under Japanese Colonial Rule in 1895 and the harbor's significance grew. In 1908, the Japanese named the city Takao and had the entire port renovated. By 1916, the port was becoming one of the world's most important maritime hubs, so the Japanese government also began renovation on the lighthouse. The lighthouse project was completed in 1918 and until this day maintains the same outer appearance. The eye-catching, octagonal structure stands eleven meters tall with a white exterior and black roof. It includes a cylindrical, floor-to-ceiling windowed lantern room, European style offices, an antique sundial on the lawn and a wrap around balcony offering panoramic views. The anemoscope on the roof has directions inscribed in Chinese which was rare during Japanese Colonial Rule. Its equipment however has undergone several upgrades. Its present fourth-order, 85,000 candlepower, rotating Fresnel lens continues to function 24 hours a day.

The best way to get to the Cihou Lighthouse is from the Cijin Ferry Pier. A walking path is provided with easy-to-follow directions. It is a picturesque, fairly short walk. However, beware of the intense sun of Southern Taiwan that can quickly cause overexposure. It is important to wear plenty of sun block and stay hydrated.

The lighthouse offers some of Kaohsiung's most scenic views and is a popular location for couples to take wedding photos. The white facade looming into the blue sky has been likened to a scenic Greek seaside and has been ensuring the safety of vessels traveling by night for more than a hundred years.

旗後燈塔

【文／御飯團；攝影／林育恩】

來到高雄市，最值得參觀的景點，絕對是高雄港。在高雄港，不但可以看到進進出出的各式船隻，更可欣賞高雄港優越的自然條件，港口旁兩邊高山聳立，只留下一個窄窄進出口供大船出入，這種易守難攻的天然優勢，也讓高雄港得以成為世界級的良港。要看清楚這種難見的景點，唯有從兩旁高山，其中旗後燈塔就是一個極佳選擇。

旗後燈塔是位於旗後山上的燈塔，其功能是指引船隻高雄港的位置。燈塔興建象徵著高雄港的發展進入新紀元，也留下悠遠歷史的印記。

1860年的英法聯軍逼迫清廷政府簽下條約，開放台灣的四個港口：淡水、雞籠、安平、打狗，其中打狗港也就是今日的高雄港，原本只是定位為安平副港的高雄港，隨著糖業的興盛，以及優越的港口條件迅速發展，也使得燈塔的需求浮現，遂於1883年旗後山北端山頂上，興建一較基本的中式方形紅磚建築燈塔見距僅約十浬，以維護夜間船隻進入打狗港的安全。這個最早期燈塔的基座，目前仍位於現有燈塔後方東北側。

1895年日人治台後，對高雄港更積極建設，1908年的重新築港，讓高雄港步入大港之林。1916年日人重建燈塔，至1918年完工，即為今日燈塔的原貌。燈塔塔身為八角形，至頂部轉為圓筒狀，有陽臺可供遠眺。塔前仍有一座西洋式白牆辦公室，草坪上有一座日晷儀。燈室外面裝玻璃，圓頂上有風向儀，風向儀上書寫有漢字─東、西、南、北，此種造形極為少見。塔身塗白色，頂部為黑色，高達11公尺，遠望極為明顯。

旗後燈塔提高夜間航行船隻安全

戰後燈塔的外觀並無太大變化，倒是燈光設備因應時代進步，多次更換，目前已換裝為新式四等旋轉透鏡電燈，光力增強為85萬支燭光，以利高雄港維持24小時航運，並提高海上夜間航行船隻安全。

要到旗後燈塔，最好的方式是搭乘渡輪至旗津輪渡站，再循指標步行上山，由於燈塔在山上，在南台灣熱情的豔陽下，需注意防曬及水分補充，但路程並不遙遠，且沿途景色美麗，會是一段愉快的行程。

到達旗後燈塔後，其純白的燈塔，配合藍天、海洋，頗有置身希臘的感覺，其優美造型，吸引許多新人來此拍攝結婚照。從此處俯瞰高雄港，更是美不勝收，可說是高雄最美麗的景色。來到高雄，千萬別忘來此一遊！