Page 83 - An Overview of Penghu

XV Scenic Spots and Relics

Magong Castle

Magong Castle features a defensive wall surrounding the capital of Penghu: Magong Town. The government
in Penghu at the beginning of the Qing dynasty was called “Xunjiansi” (a kind of low-level military office)
established in Anao Village (known as Wenao today). In 1728, when the Qing government reestablished Penghu as a
prefecture, it also replaced Xunjian with Tongpan (a low-level civil government office) and expanded the original
Xunjian office building into one for the prefectural government. A description in the Penghu Prefecture Archive,
which states that “Penghu thus became a paradise outside mainland China and served together with Taiwan as the
guardians of the southeast provinces”, in explaining the situation at that time. However, Penghu did not look like a
standard prefecture at that time.

In light of the painful experience from the Sino-French War, in which the French occupied Magong on
February 15, 1885, the Qing government moved the prefectural office to Magong and proposed to build a defensive
wall after it wrapped up negotiations with the French in June 1885. In December 1887, General Wu Hong-luo
oversaw the construction of Magong Castle, recruiting a large number of civilians as laborers to prune off the costs
of construction. The Qing government then moved the prefectural office into the Castle upon its completion in
October 1889. The defensive wall was about 2,525.6 m long, featuring 570 castellations 5.76 m high. Its foundation
was 1.12 m deep, and the wall was 7.68 m thick. Four major gates, all of which were two-story structures, were built
in the four directions, with two smaller ones added to the west and south side of the Castle. The gate on the east was
Chaoyang Gate, the one on the west was Shuncheng Gate, the one on the South was Jixu Gate, and the one on the
North was Gongchen Gate. The Castle faced the sea on the southeast and shared a border with Jinguitou on the west.
It also had a moat dug in the north. The construction of the moat cost 23,537 tael in total, which was considered a
significantly large amount at that time, with the expense covered by Taiwan's Office of Relief and Rehabilitation.
After taking over Taiwan, the Japanese government kept the old office building for the Penghu Prefectural
Government, which is still operating in it. The defensive wall still spanned the three sides of Magong Town;
however, half of the wall and gates have already been torn down.

Admiral Shi Temple

The Temple is in Magong Town and worships Admiral Shi Lang of the Qing dynasty. Shi Lang was born in
Fujian with a courtesy name “Zhuogong.” He became an admiral in 1863, and vanquished the Zheng army in
Penghu the next year, accepting Zheng Ke-shaung's surrender. Thanks to him, Taiwan became a part of Qing's
territory, and Shi was honored with the title “Jinghaihou” (a kind of knighthood) as a result. He was widely praised
by people since he not only rewarded and punished people according to their actions, but also “pacified the rebels,
minimized casualties, avoided causing instability, and showed his generosity.” He was also known for his
“Argument for Keeping Taiwan.” Although the time the Temple was built remains unknown, some claim that it was
constructed when the Qing government took over Taiwan. A sculpture of Shi Lang wearing an officer's uniform is
enshrined in the main hall. A stele titled “Qing Tai Bei Ji” that was set up by Shi Lang in memory of conquering
Taiwan used to stand at the side of the Temple, but it was moved inside the Temple for the sake of preservation.

Penghu Shrine

Penghu Shrine sits on a small hill about 1,091 m east of Magong Town. Gods being worshiped here are
Okunitama-no-Mikoto, Ohonamuchi-no-Mikoto, Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto, and Prince Yoshihisa. There is also a
Kotohira Shrine on the shrine's compound. Since the Shrine is located on an elevated and spacious area above the
Magong Port, people can enjoy a great view of the blue sea from here.

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