Lighthouses of China: Qīngdǎo, Shāndōng

The People's Republic of China (中华, Zhōnghuá in Chinese) has a lengthy coastline, many large harbors, and a large number of lighthouses. During the colonial period of the late 19th and early 20th centuries Western powers occupied a number of locations in China and built lighthouses, many of which survive. In more recent years the People's Republic has developed modern ports throughout the country and built many lighthouses to serve them.

The country is divided into 23 provinces and 11 other province-level regions of various special types. Shāndōng (formerly spelled Shantung) is a province of northern China lying directly across the Yellow Sea (Huáng Hǎi) from South Korea. The province includes the Shāndōng Peninsula (Shāndōng Bandǎo), which separates the Yellow Sea from the Bohai Sea (Bó Hǎi). As a result the province has long coastlines facing north on the Bohai Sea and southeast on the Yellow Sea.

Shāndōng is divided into sixteen prefectural-level cities. This page includes lighthouses of the province's southern coast, facing the Yellow Sea, in the prefectural-level city of Qīngdǎo. China ceded the important port of Qīngdǎo (then called Tsingtao) to Germany in 1897. The Germans established a major naval base and remained in control of the city until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. The city was occupied by Japanese forces in 1914-22 and 1938-45. Today it has a population of nearly 5 million and is one of China's most important ports.

There are many languages and dialects spoken in China, but Standard Chinese, often called Mandarin, is official. The pīnyīn system for transliterating Standard Chinese into Latin characters is now the international standard but some locations continue to be known also under the spellings of older transliteration systems. The Chinese word for a lighthouse is dēngtǎ (灯塔). In Standard Chinese jiāo (formerly chiao) is a reef or rock, jiǎo is a cape or headland, dǎo (tao) is an island; (tsu) or tuózi ("lump") is a small island, hǎi is a sea, wān is a bay, hǎixiá is a strait, or jiāng is a river, hékǒu ("river mouth") is an estuary, and gǎng (kang) is a harbor.

Lighthouses in China are maintained by the PRC Maritime Safety Administration. The administration is organized in four regional administrations; Shāndōng lighthouses fall under the Tiānjīn MSA.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. CN numbers are Chinese light list numbers. Admiralty numbers are from volume P of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.

General Sources
Online List of Lights - China
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas.
World of Lighthouses - China
Photos by various photographers available from Lightphotos.net.
Bǎinián lǎo dēngtǎ (A Hundred Years Old Lighthouse)
This page has several excellent photos of lighthouses in the Qīngdǎo region.
Chinese English Pinyin Dictionary
A useful tool for juggling the representations of Chinese names.
Leuchttürme Chinas auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
Navionics Charts
Navigation chart for Shāndōng.


Chaoliandǎo Light, Yellow Sea
anonymous Wikimedia Creative Commons photo


Jímò District Lighthouses
Zhōugēzhuāng Pier
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 12 m (39 ft); white light, pattern unknown. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) round barbell-shaped tower colored with black and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on the pier at Zhōugēzhuāng, a town south of the Dīngzì River at the northern end of Jímò. Site status unknown. Admiralty P3856.215.
Sānpíngdǎo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 70 m (230 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. Approx. 20 m (66 ft) white concrete tower. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located about 5 km (3 mi) off Zhōugēzhuāng. Accessible only boat. Site status unknown. CN-1622.5; Admiralty P3856.21.
Shuǐdǎo
Date unknown. Inactive since 2020. 8 m (26 ft) white concrete tower. No closeup photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on the southern tip of an island off a cape south of Zhōugēzhuāng. Accessible only boat. Site status unknown. CN-1622.6; Admiralty P3856.209.
Zhédǎo (1 and 2?)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower; it appears that this light has been replaced by a barbell-shaped tower of similar height. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located atop a small island off the entrance to Hèngmén Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1623.1; Admiralty P3856.2.
Zhǎngdǎo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located atop a small island off the entrance to Hèngmén Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1624; Admiralty P3856.19.
Mǎlóngdǎo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower colored with black and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located atop a small island about 8 km (5 mi) northeast of the Nǚdǎo lighthouse (next entry). Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1625.02; Admiralty P3856.13.
Nǚdǎo (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 78 m (256 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. Approx. 20 m (66 ft) tower rising from a square building. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. The original light was a 10 m (33 ft) octagonal white concrete tower with lantern and gallery attached to a square equipment building. Located on an island at the eastern entrance to Aoshan Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1625.501; Admiralty P3856.06.
Áoshān Deep Sea Base Pier (2?)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); continuous green light. Approx. 20 m (66 ft) tower. Google's satellite view shows a tower rising from a large round base; Ye Liao has a 2015 very distant view showing a square skeletal tower. This is apparently a base for oceanographic research. Located at the end of the pier. Site status unknown. CN serial 3710191; Admiralty P3850.86.

Láoshān District: Yellow Sea Island Lighthouses
Qiānlǐyán (Qiānlǐ Yán, Surveyor Island) (2)
1980 (station established 1954) . Active; focal plane 84 m (276 ft); white flash every 15 s. 15 m (49 ft) round stone tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands. This is a staffed coast guard station. An MSA photo is at right, the Natural Resources Ministry has a photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view of the station, This is one of the most remote Chinese lighthouses. Qiānlǐyán ("Distant Cliff") is a small, rather barren island far out in the Yellow Sea, about 40 km (25 mi) offshore and 100 km (60 mi) east northeast of Qīngdǎo. Ecotours are sometimes available. Located on the highest point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS PRC-051; CN-1629; Admiralty P3856; NGA 18660.
Cháoliándǎo (Cháolián Dǎo, Talientao, Tscha-Lien-Tau)
1903 (German). Active; focal plane 80 m (262 ft); white flash every 10 s. 13 m (42 ft) octagonal cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story stone keeper's house. The lighthouse is listed as white but it appears to be unpainted stone in the photo at the top of this page. Lantern painted black. Fog horn (3 blasts every 90 s). A photo is at the top of this page, a page for the lighthouse has a photo, another page has several photos, and Bing has a satellite view of the station. This is the original building, although the lantern has been replaced. The lighthouse was renovated in 1993. In 2019 it was recognized as a National Key Cultural Relic. Cháoliándǎo is an island about 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Láoshāntóu. Located on the highest point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS PRC-014; CN-1653; Admiralty P3814; NGA 18668.
 

Qiānlǐyán Light, Yellow Sea, August 2014
Tiānjīn Maritime Safety Administration photo
 

Láoshān District Mainland Lighthouses
Láoshān (Mount Lao) is the tallest mountain of the Chinese coast, rising to a height of 1133 m (3716 ft). The mountain and its surroundings are protected as the Qīngdǎo Láoshān National Park.
Tùzidǎo (Tùzi Dǎo)
2011. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 6 m (20 ft) post, painted with black and white horizontal bands, mounted on a 1-story building. No photo available but Bing has a satellite view. Located on a small island about 25 km (15 mi) north of the Láoshāntóu lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1626.14; Admiralty P3850.7.
Mǎ'èrdǎo (Mǎ'èr Dǎo, Matterson Island)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 69 m (226 ft); white flash every 4 s. 8 m (26 ft) white concrete tower. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island about 20 km (13 mi) northeast of the Láoshāntóu lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1626.2; Admiralty P3850.9.
Fēngshānjiǎo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 5 m (17 ft) (?); white flash every 6 s. Round tower perhaps 15 m (49 ft) tall. No photo available but Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The listed focal plane seems much too small. Located on a promontory about 16 km (10 mi) north of the Láoshāntóu lighthouse. Site status unknown. CN-1627; Admiralty P3850.8.
* Láoshāntóu (Láoshān Tóu) (2)
2004 (station established 1954). Active; focal plane 116 m (381 ft); white flash every 6 s. 12 m (39 ft) tower with gallery; lantern removed. Entire lighthouse is white. Cài Shànlǐ has the photo at right and a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a prominent cape at the southeast corner of the Láoshān Peninsula, about 40 km (25 mi) east northeast of Qīngdǎo. This remote area is not accessible by road, but the lighthouse can be reached by a popular hiking trail. Site and tower closed. CN-1632; Admiralty P3850.6; NGA 18664.
Tuōlóudǎo (Tuōlóu Dǎo)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white light, 2 s on, 8 s off. 5 m (17 ft) round stone tower, painted white. No photo available but Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a tiny island just offshore about 50 km (30 mi) east of Qīngdǎo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1634; Admiralty P3850.55; NGA 18666.
Chǔchǔluándǎo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. Approx. 5 m (17 ft) round tower. Several station buildings. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on a tiny island just offshore about 40 km (25 mi) east of Qīngdǎo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1652; Admiralty P3849.
Laoshantou Light
Laoshantou Light, Laoshan, June 2010
ex-Panoramio photo copyright 蔡善礼; permission requested
Xiǎogōngdǎo (Xiǎogōng Dǎo) (2?)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 51 m (167 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted red. Oleksandr Protsenko has a view from the sea and Google has a satellite view. The 2016 Chinese list has the tower height as 5 m (16 ft); this could be typo. The approach channel for Qīngdǎo is betwen this light and the Dàgōngdǎo light (next entry). Located on a small island about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Qīngdǎo and 15 km (9 mi) northeast of Dàgōngdǎo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1656; Admiralty P3816; NGA 18670.
Dàgōngdǎo (Dagōng Dǎo, Takungtao, Grand Island) (3?)
1988 (station established 1908). Active; focal plane 131 m (430 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped fiberglass tower, painted white. Oleksandr Protsenko has a very distant view from the sea and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a small island about 18 km (11 mi) southeast of Qīngdǎo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS PRC-018; CN-1657; Admiralty P3818; NGA 18672.

Downtown Qīngdǎo: Shìnán (South City) District Lighthouses
* Qīngdǎo International Sailing Ship Center (Olympic Sailing Center)
2006. Active (privately maintained?); focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white flash every 8 s; in addition the lighthouse is floodlit at night. 21 m (69 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern dome black. A photo is at right, Bruno de Regge has a closeup photo, Bill Benson has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. Qīngdǎo was the site of the sailing competitions of the 2008 Olympics. The venue was the Qīngdǎo Olympic Marina, constructed in 2005-06 on the site of the former Běihǎi Shipyard on the south (ocean) side of Qīngdǎo. Located at the end of the outer breakwater pier of the marina. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty P3826.5; NGA 18687.

Sailing Center Light, Qīngdǎo
kikbb tourist development photo
* Xiǎoqīngdǎo (Little Qīngdǎo, Tsingtao, Arcona Island) (3)
1904 (partially rebuilt 1915; station established 1900) (German/Japanese). Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); red flash every 6.5 s. 15.5 m (51 ft) two-stage tower with lantern and gallery; the lower stage is an octagonal stone tower and the uppser stage is a round cast iron tower. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is at right, Erica Kulet has a photo, Lu Yanfeng has a distant view, Jack Lin has a view from he sea, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. The Chinese-language Wikipedia has an article on the history of the lighthouse with several historic photos. The first light was on a temporary pyramidal tower. The octagonal stone tower, now the lower 2/3 of the lighthouse, was built in 1904 but heavily damaged in the Siege of Qingdao in 1914. The present lighthouse is the result of repairs and rebuilding under Japanese occupation; Japan added the top section of the tower. Wikimedia also has several current and historic photos and lighthouse appears in a distant view of the harbor posted by the German edition of Wikipedia. Located on the small island of Xiǎoqīngdǎo off the south coast of Qīngdǎo city, about 3 km (2 mi) east of the Tuándǎo lighthouse. The island, now a popular park, is connected to shore by the 440 m (0.27 mi) long Zhànqiáo bridge, built by German engineers in 1892 as a naval pier. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS PRC-065; CN-1663; Admiralty P3826; NGA 18688.
* Xiǎoqīngdǎo Breakwater (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 18 m (59 ft); continuous green light. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round fiberglass tower colored with green and white horizontal bands. Chinese Wikipedia has a photo showing this lighthouse and the Xiǎoqīngdǎo lighthouse, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The 2016 Chinese list has a 3 m (10 ft) tower. Located on a pier (not really a breakwater) extending northward from Xiǎoqīngdǎo. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. CN-1664; Admiralty P3826.2.
* Qīngdǎo Hǎijiàn Mǎtóu (HSA Pier, Friendship Pier) (Tuándǎo Wan) (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 18 m (59 ft); green flash every 4 s. Approx. 14 m (46 ft) round fiberglass tower colored with green and white horizontal bands. The light is on the right edge of Cài Shànlǐ's photo, Shī Lìméi has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. NGA and the 2016 Chinese list describe a 6 m (20 ft) tower but the photos show a taller light. Located at the end of a pier about halfway between the Xiǎoqīngdǎo and Tuándǎo lighthouses. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. CN-1664.1; Admiralty P3827; NGA 18690.

Xiǎoqīngdǎo (Little Qīngdǎo) Light, Qīngdǎo, February 2015
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by StefanTsingtauer
Tuándǎo (Tuán dǎo, Tuan Tao, Yuneishan, Yu Nui Shan) (2)
1919 (station established 1900 (German)). Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting once every 5 s. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to several 1-1/2 story stone keeper's houses. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands; the houses are painted white with orange tile roofs. Fog horn (4 blasts every 30 s). An MSA photo is at right, a 2017 photo and a view from the harbor are available, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse, seen in Huelse's historic postcard view, was destroyed by Japanese forces in 1914. This historic light station stands on the east side of the entrance to Jiāozhōu Bay and the harbor of Qīngdǎo. It is apparently in use by MSA as a training facility for aids to navigation teams. Located on an island (now joined to the mainland) at the southwestern tip of Qīngdǎo city. Site status unknown. ARLHS PRC-060; CN-1667; Admiralty P3824; NGA 18692.
Lightship Dàgū (Taku)
1911. Decommissioned 1978. 25 m (82 ft) steel lightship with the light displayed from a lantern atop a mast amidships. Entire vessel painted red. A historic photo (top of the page) is available. This lightship, the first to be built in China, was stationed for most of its career on a shoal outside the entrance to Tiānjīn, Héběi. Replaced by a lighthouse in 1978, it was transferred in 1981 to Qīngdǎo, probably to the Zhōngshā Jiāo station (see below). Restored on its 100th anniversary, the ship is displayed on land near the Tuándǎo lighthouse (next entry). A 2018 photo (second photo on the page) and a 2019 closeup photo (fifth photo on the page) are available and Google has a satellite view. Site status unknown.
Lightship Zhōngshā Jiāo
2005 (station establishment date unknown). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white flash every 6 s. 25.3 m (83 ft) single-masted lightship, painted red. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. The ship was refurbished in Qīngdǎo in 2013. The name of the ship means Middle Sands Reef. Located in the center of the entrance to Jiāozhōu Bay. Accessible only by boat. CN-1671; Admiralty P3825; NGA 18700.
Ferry Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10.5 m (34 ft); three red flashes every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) round hourglass-shaped fiberglass tower colored white with a red horizontal band. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located at the south end of a detached breakwater sheltering the terminal for ferries crossing the mouth of the bay to Huángdǎo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1686.1; Admiralty P3846.6.
Tuandao Light
Tuándǎo Light, Qīngdǎo, 2009
PRC Maritime Safety Administration photo
Baigeshi Langba
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7.5 m (25 ft); green light, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 5 m (17 ft) round concrete tower painted with green and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a breakwater pier north of the ferry terminal. Site status unknown. CN-1687; Admiralty P3846.53.
Xiǎogǎng (Small Basin) Entrance South
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7.5 m (25 ft); continuous green light. 5 m (17 ft) masonry tower painted with green and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on the south breakwater at the entrance to the "small" basin, which includes a Coast Guard wharf as well as small craft moorings. Site status unknown. CN-1690; Admiralty P3846.52.

Downtown Qīngdǎo: Shìběi (North City) District Lighthouses
Xiǎogǎng (Small Basin) Entrance North
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7.5 m (25 ft); continuous red light. 5 m (17 ft) masonry tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on the north breakwater at the entrance to the "small" basin. Site status unknown. CN-1689; Admiralty P3846.5.
Mǎtíjiāo (Mǎtí Jiāo, Horseshoe Reef, Hufeisenriff) (2)
1915 (station established 1904) (Japanese). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white flash every 8 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a square concrete pier. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands. A news agency photo is at right, Wikimedia has several photos, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse was completely restored and converted to solar power in 2011, including installation of a replica of the original lantern. An older photo shows its appearance before restoration. Located on an islet in Jiāozhōu Bay about 1200 m (3/4 mi) off the Qīngdǎo waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1675; Admiralty P3832; NGA 18704.
Dàbǎodǎo Jiǎo (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 15 m (49 ft), white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round concrete tower painted with black and white horizontal bands. A street view from shore is available and Google has a satellite view. The 2016 Chinese list describes a shorter tower. Located on a breakwater at the south end of the Passenger Terminal and marking the entrance to the Zhōnggǎng (Middle Basin). Site status unknown. CN-1685; Admiralty P3846.1.
Passenger Terminal South
2015. Active; focal plane 14.5 m (48 ft); green flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) round barbell-shaped tower colored with green and white horizontal bands. A street view from shore is available and Google has a satellite view. In 2015 Qīngdǎo built a large cruise ship terminal on a wharf between the Xiǎogǎng and Dàgǎng basins. Located at the south end of the wharf. Site status unknown. CN-1679.1; Admiralty P3845.7.
Passenger Terminal North
2015. Active; focal plane 14.5 m (46 ft); white flash every 3 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round barbell-shaped tower colored with black and white horizontal bands. Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located beside the cruise ship terminal. Site status unknown. CN serial 3710780; Admiralty P3845.8.
Dàgǎng Jìnkǒuyòu (Entrance Right) (Wharf No. 1) (2)
1953 (station established 1905). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); continuous green light. 5 m (17 ft) round stone tower with gallery, painted with green and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on a wharf on the south (right) side of the entrance to the main harbor (dàgǎng) of Qīngdǎo. Site status unknown. CN-1682; Admiralty P3837; NGA 18728.
Matijiao Light
Matijiao Light, Qīngdǎo, August 2011
PRC Xinhua News Agency photo (no longer online)
Dàgǎng Range Front (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 9 m (30 ft) round metal tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. NGA lists a framework tower. Located on a pier on the south side of the harbor. Site and tower closed. CN-1683; Admiralty P3844; NGA 18732.
Dàgǎng Range Rear (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 18 m (59 ft) round metal tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. NGA lists a framework tower. Located on the waterfront of the harbor 1120 m (0.7 mi) east northeast of the front light. Site and tower closed. CN-1684; Admiralty P3844.1; NGA 18736.
Dàgǎng Pier 5
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete or metal tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on one of the piers on the north side of the harbor. Site and tower closed. CN-1681.5; Admiralty P3837.8.
Dàgǎng Jìnkǒuzuǒ (Entrance Left) (Wharf No. 5) (2)
1953 (station established 1905). Active; focal plane about 11 m (36 ft); continuous red light. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern painted with red and white horizontal bands. A photo by Ronald Brawis is at right and Google has a satellite view. NGA and the 2016 Chinese list describe a 5 m (16 ft) stone tower. Located on a wharf on the north (left) side of the entrance to the harbor of Qīngdǎo. The vessel traffic control tower for Qīngdǎo is on this wharf. Site status unknown. CN-1681; Admiralty P3837.5; NGA 18720.
Dàgǎng Zǔlàngdī (North Breakwater) (2)
1978 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower with gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on the north breakwater of the modern harbor of Qīngdǎo. Site status unknown. CN-1680; Admiralty P3836; NGA 18708.
 

Dàgǎng Entrance Left Light, Qīngdǎo, September 2019
Google Maps photo by Ronald Brawis

Xīhǎiàn (West Coast) New Area Lighthouses
Ànhúshí
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower colored with black and white horizontal bands. A street view from shore is available and Bing has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a reef just off an industrial harbor basin in the southwestern part of Jiāozhōu Bay, the outer harbor of Qīngdǎo. Accessible only by boat. CN-1667.5; Admiralty P3824.2.
Huángdǎo HSA (MSA) Pier
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) round barbell-shaped white tower. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the MSA pier in Huángdǎo, the port on the west side of Jiāozhōu Bay opposite Qīngdǎo. Site and tower closed. CN serial 3711152; Admiralty P3824.14.
Jiǎozǐshí Zuǐ
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); red flash every 4 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. Lu Hao's photo is at right and Google has a satellite view. Located atop the promontory on the west side of the entrance to Jiāozhōu Bay. Site status unknown. CN-1666.5; Admiralty P3824.08.
Lightship Huángdǎo Wàihángdào (Huángdǎo Outer Channel)
2013. Active; focal plane unknown; two white flashes every 10 s. 23 m (85 ft) single-masted lightship, painted red. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. A press article (no longer online) reported the retirement of the original lightship in 2013 after 25 years of service. Located at the channel entrance about 7 km (4 mi) south of Qīngdǎo harbor. Accessible only by boat. CN serial artiv=.18; Admiralty P3823; NGA 18686.
Dàqiáodǎo (Dàqiáo Dǎo) (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 16 m (52 ft) tower, mounted on a conical concrete base. Base painted white, tower red. No photo available but Bing has a satellite view. Located on an isolated rock about 8 km (5 mi) south of Qīngdǎo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1660; Admiralty P3822; NGA 18684.
Zhúchàdǎo (Zhúchà Dǎo, Zhúpándǎo) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1954). Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted black. A closeup of the lantern is available and Google has a satellite view. The earlier lighthouse was a 5 m (17 ft) stone tower. Located near the southwest end of a small island about 6 km (4 mi) south southwest of Daqiaodǎo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1716; Admiralty P3820; NGA 18676.

Jiǎozǐshí Zuǐ Light, Língshān Peninsula, September 2022
Google Maps street view by Lu Hao
Xiǎoshídǎo (Liándǎo)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical fiberglass tower colored with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a small island a short distance east of Zhúchàdǎo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN -1716.01; Admiralty P3821; NGA 18678.
Lightship Qīngdǎo Gǎng
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; three white flashes every 15 s. Steel lightship, painted red. No photo available and the ship is not shown in Google's satellite view. This is a historic lightship station that has been reestablished recently. Located about 6 km (4 mi) south of Zhúchàdǎo. Accessible only by boat. Site and vessel closed. CN-1716.1; Admiralty P3819.
Gùjiādǎo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 97 m (318 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 6 m (20 ft) square white concrete tower. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. NGA calls this light Liansan Dao, but that is the name of an island offshore to the east. Located atop the mountain at the end of the Língshān Peninsula. Site status unknown. CN-1719; Admiralty P3812; NGA 18679.
Lǎolíng Shí
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower painted white. Bing has a satellite view. Located on a reef off the end of the Língshān Peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1720; Admiralty P3811; NGA 18679.2.
Yúmíng Zuǐ
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); white flash every 4 s. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower, colored with black and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Bing has a satellite view. Located on a reef about 800 m (1/2 mi) northwest of the Lǎolíng Shí lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-1721; Admiralty P3812.2.
* Liújiādǎo (2?)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical tower painted with black and white horizontal bands. Google has the drone view seen at right and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located beside the coastal road on a headland on the west side of the Língshān Peninsula. NGA lists an 8 m (26 ft) tower, but the drone view shows a taller tower. Site open, tower closed. CN-1729.1; Admiralty P3812.45; NGA 18749.95.

Liújiādǎo Light, Língshān Peninsula, February 2017
Google Maps drone view by Yanting C.
Tángdǎowān Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. A view across the harbor is at right and Google has a satellite view. Located on the outer breakwater of the Tángdǎo harbor at the uppermost extension of Língshān Bay. Site status unknown. CN-1729.12; Admiralty P3812.48; NGA 18749.96.
Dàwān Gǎng
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted with green and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Bing has a satellite view. Located on the breakwater pier of an industrial harbor west of the Língshān Peninsula. Site status unknown. CN-1720.74; Admiralty P3812.8; NGA 18749.99.
Língshān Wān Marina (2?)
Date unknown. Active (privately maintained?); focal plane about 23 m (75 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. Approx. 20 m (66 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. The Admiralty describes a 7 m (23 ft) "metal and GRP" tower. Located on the breakwater of a marina on the west side of the entrance to Língshān Bay. Site status unknown. Admiralty P3813.5.
Língshāndǎo North
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28.5 m (93 ft); white flash every 4 s. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a distant satellite view. Língshāndǎo is a mountainous island about 5 km (3 mi) long and 13 km (8 mi) off the coast, roughly 30 km (19 mi) south southwest of Qīngdǎo. The island is a resort for Chinese but does not appear to have accommodations catering to foreigners. Located at the northerntip of the island. Site status unknown. CN-1729.5; Admiralty P3809.8.

Tángdǎowān Breakwater Light, Língshān Bay, July 2022
Google Maps photo by Eric Z
Língshāndǎo
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white flash every 6 s. 5 m (17 ft) round rubblestone tower with gallery, painted with red and white vertical stripes. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located at the southwestern tip of the island. Site status unknown. CN-1731; Admiralty P3810; NGA 18680.
Yánwángbízi Shān (Dàzhūshan Zuǐ, Dàzhūshanzuǐ) (2)
2013 (station establishment date unknown). Active; focal plane 166 m (545 ft); white flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round stone tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. The original light was lower on the slope of the cape, with a focal plane of 121 m (397 ft); the light was moved when new development altered the area. Located on a promontory south of Jiāonán, opposite Língshāndǎo. Site status unknown. CN-1732; Admiralty P3809; NGA 18751.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Wēihǎi Area | South: Rìzhào

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Posted March 31, 2008. Checked and revised August 31, 2023. Lighthouses: 53, lightships: 4. Site copyright 2023 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.