Travel/POI: Taiwan New Taipei Gongliao Old Caoling Tunnel, Cape Santiago Lighthouse, Fulong Sand Sculpture Art Festival 新北貢寮舊草嶺隧道、三貂角燈塔、福隆海水浴場沙雕

貢寮古名摃仔寮，乃巴賽族人為了等候捕捉山獸，在「陷阱」附近搭建的草寮，是他們聚落與狩獵的地方。1773 -1795 年（清朝）漢人開始來此開墾。

貢寮位於新北市東北端，是新北市唯一臨太平洋的行政區，為濱海丘陵地型。又因地處大陸沿岸流與菲律賓洋流交匯黑潮帶，海洋資源豐富。且為雪山山脈之起點，境內群巒起伏，翠嶺層疊，景致優美。

Gongliao, formerly known as Kangzai Liao, was a thatched hut built by the Basai people near their animal traps. It served as both a settlement and a hunting ground. Between 1773 and 1795 (during the Qing Dynasty), Han Chinese settlers began cultivating the area.

Located at the northeastern tip of New Taipei City, Gongliao is the city's only district bordering the Pacific Ocean. Its terrain is both hilly and coastal. Situated along the Kuroshio Current—where the continental coastal current and the Philippine Current meet—Gongliao boasts abundant marine resources. It is also the starting point of the Snow Mountain Range, offering breathtaking scenery with rolling hills and cascading emerald-green mountains.

舊草嶺隧道 Old Caoling Tunnel

舊草嶺隧道是位於新北貢寮與宜蘭頭城交界的隧道，啟用於 1924 年（日治時期），總長 2,167 公尺。完工時為東南亞最長的鐵路隧道。這個肩負了 50 餘年臺北宜蘭間單線交通重任的隧道，於 1985 年在新草嶺隧道通車後停用。

但是這宜蘭線最長的鐵路隧道，具有交通運輸、建築與文化歷史意義。經專家及地方人士的研討及爭取後，2008 年，舊草嶺隧道被整理闢建為自行車道，供民眾觀光休閒使用。目前被定為宜蘭縣縣定古蹟，也是臺灣歷史建築百景之一。

舊草嶺隧道全部以紅磚建構，洞口上方的女兒牆，局部是石砌，整體造型簡單，沒有華麗的裝飾。隧道洞口之拱為五卷式拱圈（五層紅磚砌拱），福隆側(北洞口)，有題字「制天險」的匾額一塊。石城側(南洞口)，則有題字「白雲飛處」的匾額。

隧道的剖面則為傳統的山形坡設計（中間高而兩端洞口低），以便完工前後時期的排水。隧道內路線絕大部分為直線，僅在接近南口前的一小部分為彎道。

我們 2024 年租了電動輔助腳踏車，而 2025 年則租嘟嘟車，兩種方式都輕鬆自在又好玩。不論是在石城山石喝ㄧ瓶石花凍，或是在九號咖啡石城館喝杯咖啡，眺望龜山島，讓人感到十分愜意。

The Old Caoling Tunnel, located at the border of Gongliao, New Taipei City, and Toucheng, Yilan County, was opened in 1924 during the Japanese colonial period and measures 2,167 meters in length. At the time of its completion, it was the longest railway tunnel in Southeast Asia. For over 50 years, this tunnel served as a single-track transportation link between Taipei and Yilan. It was decommissioned in 1985 following the opening of the New Caoling Tunnel.

Despite its decommissioning, this longest railway tunnel on the Yilan Line holds considerable transportation, architectural, and cultural significance. After discussions and advocacy by experts and local residents, the Old Caoling Tunnel was renovated and converted into a bicycle path in 2008 for public use. It is now designated as a Yilan County Historic Site and is listed among Taiwan's 100 Historical Architecture Sites.

The Old Caoling Tunnel is constructed entirely of red brick, with sections of the parapet above the tunnel entrance made of stone. The overall design is simple and lacks ornate decoration. The tunnel entrance features a five-volume arch (comprising five layers of red brick). The north entrance, on the Fulong side, bears a plaque inscribed with the words "Control the Natural Danger." The south entrance, on the Shicheng side, features a plaque inscribed with "Where White Clouds Fly."

The tunnel’s cross-section follows a traditional hillside design—higher in the middle and lower at both ends—to facilitate drainage both during and after construction. The tunnel’s route is largely straight, with only a slight curve near the south entrance.

We rented an e-bike in 2024 and an auto rickshaw in 2025, and both experiences were relaxing and fun. Whether you're drinking a bottle of Agar Jelly at Shicheng Shanshi or enjoying a cup of coffee at No. 9 Coffee while looking out at Guishan Island, it’s a very pleasant experience.

Photo Date: 2025.06.05, 2024.10.19

三貂角燈塔 Cape Santiago Lighthouse

三貂角原是平埔族原住民活動之處。1626 年時，西班牙海軍在今日的三貂角一帶登陸臺灣，遂以耶穌的門徒聖雅各（西班牙語：Santiago) 之名來命名此岬角。現在習稱的三貂角就是「聖地牙哥」台語的音譯。

1929 及 1931 年(日治時期)，日本船隻先後在三貂角附近的海域遭遇海難沉沒，台灣總督府因此於此地籌建三貂角燈塔。燈塔於 1935年完工，二戰時遭盟軍戰機炸射毀損，1946年修復運作。

三貂角燈塔的塔高 16.5 公尺，白色的混凝土圓塔身，頂層外有環繞陽台。燈高 100.6 公尺，燈質(燈塔頻率)是每28秒發出一次白、紅光聯閃兩次的燈號，指引、守護著太平洋沿岸及漁船，就像對著大海眨眼睛，因此有「台灣的眼睛」的美譽。

三貂角燈塔是台灣的極東點，也是每日迎接第一道曙光的地方。燈塔所在之處，映入眼簾的是三大白色建築物，除了燈塔外，還有頭頂足球狀的民航局航路雷達，以及將閒置的倉庫加上教堂型的圓拱及彩繪玻璃打造成的小教堂建築。青青草地上更有浪漫的裝置藝術與歐式涼亭，是許多偶像劇與婚紗的熱門取景地。

燈塔內部設有展示館供人參觀，館內陳列著臺灣燈塔的史料、珍貴圖片與分布圖，郵局發行的燈塔郵票與航港局的主要業務，還有不同的燈具零件和模型，讓人更深入了解台灣燈塔的歷史。

Sandiao Cape was originally inhabited by the Pingpu aboriginals. In 1626, the Spanish navy landed in Taiwan at what is now Sandiao Cape. They named the cape after the apostle Saint James (Spanish: Santiago). The current name, Sandiao Cape, is a Taiwanese transliteration of "Santiago."

In 1929 and 1931, during the Japanese colonial period, Japanese ships sank in the waters near Sandiao Cape. This prompted the Government-General of Taiwan to construct the Sandiao Cape Lighthouse. Completed in 1935, the lighthouse was damaged by Allied aircraft during World War II and restored in 1946.

The Sandiao Cape Lighthouse stands 16.5 meters tall at its base. It features a white concrete dome with a wraparound balcony on the top floor. Standing at an elevation of 100.6 meters above sea level, the lighthouse emits a double flash of white and red light every 28 seconds, guiding and protecting vessels along the Pacific coast—like a wink to the ocean. Hence, it's nicknamed the "Eye of Taiwan."

The Sandiao Cape Lighthouse marks Taiwan's easternmost point and is the place where the first light of day touches the island each morning. From the lighthouse, three white buildings can be seen. In addition to the lighthouse itself, there is the Civil Aviation Administration's airway radar, shaped like a football, and a small chapel converted from an unused warehouse, complete with church-style arches and stained glass windows. The surrounding lush lawns feature romantic art installations and European-style pavilions, making the area a popular filming location for idol dramas and wedding photography.

Inside the lighthouse, there is an exhibition hall open to visitors. The hall displays historical materials, rare photographs, distribution maps of Taiwan's lighthouses, lighthouse-themed stamps issued by the post office, information on the main operations of the Port and Maritime Bureau, as well as various lamp components and models. These exhibits provide a deeper understanding of the history and significance of Taiwan’s lighthouses.

Photo Date: 2025.06.05

福隆海水浴場沙雕 Fulong Sand Sculpture Art Festival

福隆海水浴場開闢於日治時期，二戰後由貢寮鄉公所與當地漁會合資經營，擴展旅遊事業。今由東北角暨宜蘭海岸國家風景區管理。

自 2000 年起，每年七月至八月間會擇日舉辦貢寮國際海洋音樂祭，為期 3-5 日。自 2008 年起，舉辦福隆國際沙雕藝術季，邀請來自不同國家的沙雕藝術家在此創作。今年 (2025 年) 是以「迪士尼仲夏歡樂祭」為主題，沙雕展期從 5 月 24 日至 9 月 30 日。我們有幸能一飽眼福，欣賞沙雕作品。

Fulong Beach was established during the Japanese colonial period. After World War II, it became a joint venture between the Gongliao Township Office and the local fishing association, gradually expanding into a tourist destination. It is now managed by the Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration.

Since 2000, the Gongliao International Ocean Music Festival has been held annually between July and August, lasting three to five days. Since 2008, the Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival has also been hosted, inviting sand sculptors from around the world to showcase their creations. This year (2025), the theme is "Disney Summer Funfest," and the sand sculpture exhibition runs from May 24 to September 30. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to feast our eyes on these incredible works of art.

Photo Date: 2025.06.05