[5][6] After the signing of Convention of Peking in 1860 during the Qing Dynasty rule, the Takau Harbor was opened to foreign traders in 1863.

With increasing commercial shipping activities and a lack of a proper ship navigation system, the British engineers built a Chinese-style rectangular red-brick lighthouse at the top of Mount Ki-au (旗後山), at the southern side of the harbor.

During the Japanese rule, in line with the expansion of the harbor, the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1916 as part of the project.

In 1985, the lighthouse was designated a Historical Building and subsequently opened to the public.

The lighthouse tower provides an excellent view of the entire Port of Kaohsiung.