Taiwan's Lighthouses Major Tourist Attractions
The government of Taiwan is planning to open another two lighthouses to the public since such structures have become major tourism attractions in the country, the Maritime and Port Bureau informed.
By 2015-end Chimei Yu Lighthouse on Penghu and Fukwei Chiao Lighthouse in New Taipei City will be added to the country's list of lighthouse tourist attractions.
Taiwan has 35 lighthouses, 10 of which are currently open to visitors. The most recent additions to the list of lighthouse tourist sites were Paisha Chia, Lu Tao, Fong Yuan, and Kaomei lighthouses, which were opened to the public over the past two years.
Taiwan's lighthouses serve not only as facilities to protect fishing boats and strengthen security, but also as scenic sites that boost Taiwan's tourism, said the bureau, which is under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications
Prior to 2013, visitors were allowed into only six of the country's lighthouses -- Eluan Pi, Santiao Chiao, Kaohsiung, Yuweng Tao, Tungchu Tao and Tungyin Tao. Last year, 1 million people visited Taiwan's 10 tourism lighthouses, compared with about 880,000 in 2013, according to government statistics.
