Fan Lau Fort, Military fortification in Lantau Island, Hong Kong.
Fan Lau Fort is a rectangular stone fortification on a cliff 116 metres above sea level at the southwestern tip of Lantau Island. Its walls, 5 metres tall, are made of semi-dressed stone and green bricks, and the entrance faces east. The interior measures 46 by 21 metres.
The fort was built in 1729 under the Yongzheng Emperor to guard the sea route into the Pearl River Estuary. It changed hands several times, including a period under pirate control, and was finally abandoned in 1898 when Britain took over the New Territories.
The fort's name changed with the records: it appears as Tai Yu Shan Fort in early Qing sources, and as Kai Yik Fort, after the chicken-wing shape of the headland, in later ones. Villagers from Fan Lau village, once called Shek Shun, took stones from its walls for building before restoration.
The fort can only be reached on foot via trails that branch off from the Lantau Trail, so sturdy footwear and sun protection are recommended. The final stretch before the fort is exposed to wind and open sky, so it is worth coming prepared for the weather.
The fort was originally known as Tai Yu Shan Fort, which was the old name for Lantau Island itself. This earlier name still appears in some historical records, showing that both the island and the fort went through several rounds of renaming over the centuries.
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