TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Fugui Cape Lighthouse in New Taipei’s Shimen District will close on Thursday for renovation work and is expected to reopen in May, per CNA.

Built in 1897, the lighthouse is the northernmost on Taiwan’s main island. The original structure, constructed during the Japanese colonial period, was an octagonal iron lighthouse.

The Maritime and Port Bureau said it was the second lighthouse built by Japanese authorities in Taiwan and was intended to support the laying of submarine cables as well as maritime navigation. Because the area is frequently shrouded in dense fog during fall and winter, a foghorn — the first in Taiwan — was added to warn vessels at sea.

The original iron structure was replaced in 1962 with an octagonal concrete tower, which was later painted with its distinctive black-and-white horizontal stripes.

After years of exposure to severe weather, parts of the lighthouse now require repairs, including additional roof waterproofing. The facility will also undergo electrical wiring upgrades, along with improvements to existing walkways, the bureau said.

For safety reasons, the park surrounding the lighthouse will also be closed during the renovation period. All entrances will be closed, and warning signs have been placed around the area, with reopening dependent on renovation progress.

Fugui Cape is a popular destination known for its geological formations and coastal trails offering views of wind-sculpted trees and coral reefs. In April and May, visitors can also enjoy native lilies and the Laomei Green Reef, a stretch of reef covered in seasonal green algae.