The Suogang North and South Towers are the largest surviving pair of folk wind-suppression stone towers in Penghu, standing at the northern and southern ends of the Suogang area in Magong. Each tower stands about 14 metres tall, built from layers of stacked basalt blocks in a nine-tiered conical form, with a basalt slab set upright at the apex. Traditionally, after suffering severe winter storms, Penghu communities would build these “wind-suppression towers” at the windward edge of their settlements — stacking stones to ward off malevolent forces and calm the northeast monsoon. The Suogang towers were originally built in earlier times and rebuilt in 1962 into their current nine-tiered conical form, making them the tallest surviving stone tower pair in Penghu. A local saying beside the towers reads: “If Suogang loses one hill, Zhumu Bay gains a cove” — legend holds that the towers’ power keeps the sand dunes from being blown away. The two towers still stand by the sea today, serving as landmarks that many residents and visitors use to mark the passage of time and observe seasonal change.
Highlights
What stands out most about the two towers is their rough-hewn stonework. With no restoration work carried out in nearly a century, the weathered texture of the stone surfaces is clearly visible; some blocks have shifted slightly, which only adds to the sense of age. The South Tower (South Noon Tower) is closest to the southern settlement of Suogang, while the North Tower (North Zi Tower) stands next to Suogang Fishing Harbor, where waves splash against the breakwater and the tower’s reflection ripples in the water. Standing beneath either tower and looking up, you can feel the sheer mass of the stacked stone; walking around each tower from different angles, you will notice that the size and density of the blocks vary by layer — details that record the judgment and experience of the craftsmen who built them.
Getting There and Around
Walk about 15 minutes from Suogang Stop to reach the North Zi Tower; alight at Suogang National Housing East Stop and walk 10 minutes to reach the tower area. Hou-wu Stop is slightly farther away (15–20 minutes on foot), but connects well if you plan to visit Shanshui Beach or other attractions to the north first. Drivers can park directly at Suogang Fishing Harbor — parking is free.
The North Zi Tower stands at the entrance to Suogang Fishing Harbor, where you can watch fishing boats at work and buy fresh-caught seafood. Shanshui Beach is 2 kilometres away, popular for swimming and shell-collecting in summer. Zhongyang Old Street is 3 kilometres to the north, where you can stop for Penghu specialties such as thin wheat noodles (misua) and prickly pear ice cream. In winter the crowds thin out and the area around the towers is quiet; visiting around the winter solstice gives the clearest sense of the biting cold winds that drove the original settlers to build these towers in the first place.