Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Língāo Lighthouse

Fl White 27s🇨🇳Lingao, CNOperational

Location & Light Range

About Língāo Lighthouse

Also known as: Língāo (Lamko Point)

The Língāo Lighthouse, constructed in 1894, is the oldest light station on Hainan island. Its hexagonal pyramidal skeletal tower, adorned with red and white horizontal bands, reaches a height of 21 meters. It sits on a point of land approximately 80 kilometers west of Haikou, indicating the entry to the Qiongzhou Strait from the Gulf of Tonkin. The light displays a white flash every 27 seconds, with a geographic range of 13.4 nautical miles. The original station included keeper's dwellings. It underwent restoration and modernization in 1997, and the current light sequence began in 2011. The lighthouse is situated within Cape Lingao Liberation Park.

Why it matters: Awarded Heritage Lighthouse of the Year in 2025, Língāo Lighthouse carries considerable cultural and historical importance as the first Chinese light station to gain this international recognition. Its location also signifies a site important in modern Chinese military history.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 27s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
27s
Raw Code
Fl W 27s
Focal Height
21m
Light Range
15NM (27.8 km)
Geographic Range
13.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1894
Heritage Status
Heritage Lighthouse of the Year (2025)

Significant events: restored and modernized in 1997, current light pattern instituted in 2011, IALA recognized as Heritage Lighthouse of the Year in 2025

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Macun(18.1 km)
Admiralty No.
P3342
NGA No.
CN-5026
ARLHS No.
PRC-039
Wikidata
Q115046413 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
21m
Tower Shape
skeletal
Tower Color
with red and white horizontal bands

Structure: hexagonal pyramidal skeletal tower with lantern, gallery, and central cylinder

Location

City
Lingao
Country
🇨🇳China
Region
Hainan
Sea Region
marks the entrance to Qióngzhōu Strait from the Gulf of Tonkin, located on a sharp point of land about 80 km west of Hǎikǒu, within the Cape Lingao Liberation Park
Latitude
20.0101°
Longitude
109.7112°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Língāo Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near China, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Língāo Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 21 meters and a nominal range of 15 nautical miles (approximately 27.8 km), Língāo is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Língāo Lighthouse at night?+
Língāo displays the characteristic Fl White 27s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Língāo Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Língāo Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Macun at 17.6 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include MACUN (18 NM E), Xiuyu Pt (24.8 NM E), Haikou Pt (25.7 NM E), Xinying (29.3 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Língāo Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Língāo Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Língāo Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Língāo Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.