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The WestTai of Xiyu is a fortress originally constructed by Liu Mingchuan of the Qing Dynasty. In 1885, during the Sino-French War, French Admiral Courbet led the Far Eastern Fleet to attack Taiwan and Penghu. Penghu fell under the assault. After the Qing-French peace negotiations, Liu Mingchuan devised plans for Taiwan's defense, requesting the establishment of a regional commander in Penghu and strengthening Penghu's military fortifications. At that time, a gun battery was built on the high ground between Waian and Neian in Xiyu, equipped with four modern Armstrong breech-loading cannons. The following year, the EastTai of Xiyu was added on the highland near Neian. The construction of the WestTai of Xiyu was vast in scale and the work was extremely arduous, completed in 1889 during the Guangxu period. The WestTai of Xiyu was built as a recessed architectural structure with inner and outer defensive walls surrounding it. Stones were stacked within the walls to form platforms, on which the gun emplacements were installed, roughly arranged in a mountain-shaped configuration. Two arched gateways led inward from the entrance, with the first archway inscribed with "WestTai of Xiyu" at its upper lintel. This fortress is currently the most complete and historically significant preserved 100-year-old gun battery in the province. While many may not have noticed these sites, the WestTai of Xiyu has served as a filming location for many famous stars' music videos. For example, the song "Don't Say" sang with a Cantonese accent by Jacky Cheung was shot on the marble steps beside agave plants at the fortress. The lyrics' bittersweet sentiment combined with the ancient ambiance created a poetic atmosphere. The plant "silver wattle" featured in the video is commonly found in Penghu. Also filmed at the site was the music video for the song "Really Scared." Can you spot the clues in it? Another notable production was Elva Hsiao's "In Love with Love," wherein the scene features dark clouds in the sky and the heroine, wearing a large cloak, walking along the ancient stone steps beside agave plants, creating an especially mystical and ancient atmosphere. Wu Shike's music video for his song "You Are the Most Beautiful" was also filmed here, featuring clowns, dancers, musicians, and Wu's moving vocals, a work familiar to many who attended primary or secondary school in the 1980s and 1990s. Ticket Information Full Price: NT$25 on regular days, NT$30 on holidays Half Price (for students, military personnel, and police officers): NT$15 on regular days, NT$20 on holidays Group ticket for 20 or more people: NT$20 on regular days, NT$25 on holidays Free Admission: 1. Individuals with a light disability certificate and one accompanying person. 2. Children under kindergarten age, elderly persons over 70 years, retired military and public officials, and holders of a volunteer honor card issued by agencies. 3. Local residents registered in this township. *For free admission: Children under kindergarten age do not need any documents. All others are requested to present their relevant documents.