位于观象山西麓的观象一路45号的望火楼，由德国建筑师库尔特·罗克格于1905年设计建造。此楼曾是胶澳巡捕局的消防瞭望台，实行24小时值守。一旦发现火情，值班员即拉响楼顶铜制警铃，先鸣乱钟30响，再根据鸣钟次数指示火灾区域：市南区一响、市北区二响，以此类推。20世纪30年代初，随着青岛拨号电话的普及，电话报警逐步取代了望火楼的功能。至40年代初，该楼完成历史使命后被封闭。
望火楼呈八角形，高16米，建筑面积170平方米。其内旋梯旁设有粗石窗台，顶部的八根花岗岩立柱支撑着双层铜皮瞭望塔顶。作为德占时期青岛的制高点，它曾是这座城市的地标性建筑。
关于地理藏宝：这是一个5毫升试管容器，开启后可轻松取出日志纸，请务必保留。另请随身携带记录用笔。
Located at No. 45 Guanxiangyi Road on the western foothills of Guanxiang Mountain, the Watchfire Tower was designed by German architect Kurt Rothkegel and constructed in 1905. Serving as a fire lookout post for the Jiaozhou Patrol Bureau, it operated with 24-hour surveillance. Upon detecting a fire, the watchman would activate a bronze alarm bell atop the tower—first ringing 30 chaotic chimes, followed by numbered chimes indicating the fire district: one chime for Shinan District, two for Shibei District, and so forth. In the early 1930s, the advent of dial telephones in Qingdao gradually rendered the tower obsolete for fire reporting. By the early 1940s, it was permanently sealed after fulfilling its historical role.
Featuring an octagonal design, the 16-meter-high tower covers a floor area of 170 square meters. Its interior spiral staircase is flanked by rough stone window ledges, while eight granite columns support a double-layered copper-clad observation turret. As Qingdao’s highest vantage point during the German colonial period, it stood as a landmark structure.
Regarding the geocache: This 5ml tube container allows easy access to the log paper upon opening—please retain it securely. Additionally, remember to bring a writing instrument.
