Fangyuan Lighthouse was built in 1983 (the 72nd year of the Republic of China). Its octagonal tower is identified by vertical black-and-white alternating stripes; at 37.4 meters tall, it is the tallest lighthouse currently standing on the main island of Taiwan. The lighthouse is situated at the edge of the Changhua coastal wetlands, and the surrounding wide muddy beach stretches several kilometers at low tide. The view of the evening sun over the Taiwan Strait reflecting off the lighthouse, combined with the birdwatching resources of the area, creates a site offering multiple overlapping natural experiences.
Highlights of Fangyuan Lighthouse
Fangyuan Lighthouse is managed by the Maritime and Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and is primarily intended to help vessels navigating north and south through the Taiwan Strait identify their position along the Changhua coast. The black-and-white vertical stripe design on the tower forms part of the lighthouse's identification code — different colors and stripe patterns identify different lighthouses for mariners. At 37.4 meters, this is the tallest lighthouse tower on the main island of Taiwan; during daylight hours its position can be identified from a considerable distance, making it the most prominent landmark structure on the Changhua western coast.
The coastline around the lighthouse falls within the Changhua Coast Important Wetland area; the large expanse of mud flat exposed at low tide serves as a feeding ground for waterbirds. Black-faced spoonbills, great egrets, black-winged stilts, and other waterbirds appear frequently during migration seasons. In the evening the sun sets over the western side of the Taiwan Strait, and orange light plays across the lighthouse — one of the most representative photographic compositions along the western coastline. At high tide the water approaches the lighthouse base; at low tide the mud flats spread wide — the landscape changes noticeably with the tides.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Visiting Hours
- The lighthouse is next to Wanggong Fishing Harbor. Drive from Changhua toward Fangyuan to Wanggong — about 40 minutes in total. It is within walking distance after parking.
- The area around the lighthouse is open for viewing year-round. For information on whether the tower interior is open to visitors, check the Maritime and Port Bureau, Ministry of Transportation. The best sunset viewing time varies by season — look up local sunset times before visiting.
Nearby Connections
- Wanggong Fishing Harbor is right next to the lighthouse; an oyster-harvesting experience and a seafood restaurant can be added to the same day to form a west coast half-day itinerary.
- Driving north for about 20 minutes reaches the Shengang Nature and Ecology Education Center, extending into the Changhua coastal wetland ecology route.
Sources: Maritime and Port Bureau, Ministry of Transportation; Changhua County Tourism Bureau. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.