Eluanbi (Ngoluanpi)

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Eluanbi (Chinese: 鵝鑾鼻; Pinyin: Éluánbí; Wade-Giles: O-luan-pi; Taiwanese POJ: Gô-lôan-phīⁿ; loosely: Goose beak) is the central sierra region of Taiwan, also known as Ngoluanpi. Facing towards the Luzon Strait, it is the southernmost tip of Taiwan. The name derives from Goran, meaning "Sailboat" in a local aboriginal language.


The Eluanbi Lighthouse was built in the Qing Dynasty, year 1888. Accidents in the area were quite often due to hidden reefs (see Kenting National Park). In year 1888, an English architect was hired to construct this lighthouse as a guide for nearby ships. The lighthouse is the only armed lighthouse in the world, due to frequent raids by local aboriginal tribes. The lighthouse has a trench around it and many gun holes on the wall.

After a concession by the Qing Empire when it lost the First Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan became a colony of Japan. During the Japanese rule period in 1910, the lighthouse was repaired after severe damage due to bombings. The lighthouse, although still functional, is now held as a historical monument admired by many tourists in the Kenting National Park.