In 1908, the Japanese Navy training cruiser Matsushima suffered a devastating explosion in its ammunition depot while anchored at Magong Harbor, resulting in heavy casualties. To commemorate the tragedy, the Japanese government established Songdao Memorial Park on Magong City's eastern coast (now west of Minfu Rd. and north of Ren'ai Rd.), later adding Songdao Memorial Hall and an exclusive guesthouse for imperial and government officials.
  
In 1937, as Magong underwent harbor expansions (creating what is now No.1 Fish Harbor) near Songdao Memorial Park, the guesthouse was relocated to Guizishan, a newly developed administrative and cultural district on the northern side of the city. The new guesthouse was completed in the 18th year of the Showa era (1943), but due to the Pacific War, no imperial or government officials ever stayed there before Japan's rule ended.
  
On May 17, 1949, former President Chiang Chungcheng (Chiang Kai-shek) arrived in Magong and stayed at the guesthouse. After Taiwan Provincial Governor Chen Cheng made the necessary arrangements, Chiang left for Gangshan, Kaohsiung, on May 26.The guesthouse was then designated as a presidential retreat, renamed "The First Guest House," and became one of the official residences of Chiang Kai-shek. In 1956, it was upgraded to a presidential-exclusive guesthouse, with Western-style living quarters added. A wartime command bunker and secret tunnel were also constructed on its southern side.During the 1958 Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, Chiang Kai-shek used The First Guest House as a wartime command center, making it the only one of his many residences with an active military role. It later became a retreat for successive presidents, including Chiang Chingkuo and Li Tenghui.
  
In 1992, Penghu Defense Command leader Sung Chuanchiang recognized that The First Guest House had fulfilled its historical purpose and began gradually opening it to the public. By 2000, its management was transferred to the county government. At the same time, the county government undertook extensive renovations of the gardens surrounding The First Guest House, carefully restoring the landscape to enhance its historical character. These revitalized gardens now complement the picturesque setting of Guanyinting, together forming a scenic landmark known as Xiyingshengjing(西瀛勝境).

Source: Official Website of the First Guesthouse;Rebuilding the Historical Scene of the Makung Old Town Project, Ministry of Culture;Makung (1604–1945): A Study on the Spatial Modernization of a Traditional Taiwanese Town(Source: Taiwan Memory, National Central Library – https://tm.ncl.edu.tw/)