Every now and then, by chance more than anything else, I discover one of the world's great lighthouses. At least that's what the Lighthouse Directory calls them, including this one. It's based on history, location, and aesthetics.
So this one is the Farol da Guia, the lighthouse in the Fortaleza da Guia, located in a commanding (truly) position in Macau. Not sure where that is? Well, it's south of China, and across the bay west of Hong Kong (now connected by a bridge). That would be here. Zoom in and then switch to satellite view to see how the Fortaleza (fortress) is laid out.
So, about the lighthouse. The Lighthouse Directory, as usual, describes it well; most of that description is copied below.
"1865 (Carlos Vicente da Rocha). Reactivated (inactive 1874-1910); focal plane 108 m (354 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 13.5 m (44 ft) round tapered concrete-clad stone tower with lantern and double gallery. Lighthouse painted white with gold trim; lantern roof painted red. One of the world's great lighthouses, the Portuguese Farol da Guia was the first western-style lighthouse built in China. However, after only nine years of operation it was damaged by a typhoon in 1874 and remained out of service until 1910. Beautifully restored in recent years and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of China's best known and most visited lighthouses. In recent years it has been the subject of an extended controversy, as preservationists have protested plans for high-rise buildings that may block the view (and the light) from the lighthouse. The lighthouse is built within the walls of the Fortaleza (fortress) da Guia, completed in 1638. Located atop Guia Hill near the southeast corner of the Macau Peninsula."
Below are pictures and an extended video (I couldn't find a good shorter one). Apparently there are some good angles to photograph it and some not so good, as you can tell from the communications towers that are visible in one picture.
Here's the video:
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