Fugui Cape Lighthouse is the northernmost lighthouse on Taiwan's main island, an octagonal black-and-white tower administratively located in Shimen District, New Taipei, near Sanzhi. Built in 1896 and lit the following year, it remains in active navigational use. Strong winds blow year-round around the headland, which is strewn with reefs, and the trail features ventifact geological formations unique to northern Taiwan. This is the most panoramic and geographically significant endpoint on the north coast.
Fugui Cape Lighthouse began construction in 1896 (Meiji 29) and was lit the following year in 1897; it stands 14.3 meters tall and is the northernmost lighthouse on Taiwan's main island. Administratively, it falls within Shimen District, not Sanzhi District.
What to see at Fugui Cape Lighthouse
Fugui Cape Lighthouse was built in 1896 during the Japanese colonial period, making it one of the earliest modern lighthouses constructed in Taiwan. It is identified by its octagonal tower with black-and-white stripe pattern and stands about 14.3 meters tall. The lighthouse sits at the tip of Fugui Cape, the northernmost latitude point of the Taiwan main island, facing the junction of the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. The view opens 360 degrees; on clear days, Pengjia Islet can be seen to the north.
Along the trail to the lighthouse, the reef ground is scattered with large numbers of ventifacts. These form because the headland's year-round northeast monsoon carries fine sand that abrades the rock surfaces, creating multiple flat facets — a distinctive geological landscape. The trail is about 1 kilometer long with modest elevation changes, but strong wind is present almost year-round. During the autumn–winter northeast monsoon season (roughly October through March of the following year), wind is especially fierce — dress warmly.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and timing
- Driving is the primary option. Take Provincial Highway No. 2 to Sanzhi, then follow signs to Fugui Cape. There is a car park at the trailhead.
- Public transport is infrequent. Check bus schedules in advance; reaching here by public transport alone is not recommended.
- The trail is open all day, but the path is slippery in strong wind or rain. Do not go during typhoon warnings.
Nearby connections
- Laomei Green Reef (best during the algae growing season, roughly April to May) is along the Sanzhi coast — plan a same-day visit.
- Heading east along Provincial Highway No. 2 connects to Shimen Cave and Jinshan, linking north coast attractions.
Source: Maritime and Port Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, lighthouse information; Sanzhi District tourism data, New Taipei City. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Fugui Cape Lighthouse built?
Construction began in 1896 and the lighthouse was lit the following year in 1897, making it one of the earliest modern lighthouses built in Taiwan.
Is Fugui Cape Lighthouse in Sanzhi or Shimen?
Administratively, the lighthouse falls within Shimen District, New Taipei, near Sanzhi District, which is why it is often referred to together as Sanzhi Fugui Cape.
What are the ventifacts along the Fugui Cape trail?
Ventifacts form when year-round northeast monsoon winds carry fine sand that abrades the reef surface into flat facets — a geological landscape unique to the north coast.
Sources
- 富貴角燈塔 - 維基百科 — 建造1896年、啟用1897年、塔高14.3公尺
- 交通部觀光署北海岸及觀音山國家風景區管理處—富貴角燈塔 — 行政區位於石門區而非三芝區