Weiyuan Fort, Coastal defense fortification in Humen, China

Weiyuan Fort is a ruined coastal battery in Humen, Dongguan, Guangdong, built in 1835 and running 360 metres along the bank of the Pearl River just below the Humen Bridge. It held 44 cannons, forty in covered emplacements and four in open works, all facing the Humen strait.

Plans for Weiyuan Fort were drawn up in 1834 as part of Qing efforts to fortify the Humen strait. After four major forts were built along the strait, Lu Kun proposed an additional fort in the crossed-platform style, and Weiyuan was constructed in 1835. Yong'an Fort was built on the western end of an island in the strait and Gonggu Fort on the opposite bank at the foot of Luwan Mountain. Weiyuan was captured in the 1841 Battle of the Bogue, the 1847 Expedition to Canton and the 1856 Battle of the Bogue.

The name Weiyuan, "subduing the distance," reflects the fort's role in the three-tier defense of the Humen strait, where it formed part of the second gate with the Nanshan forts. In 1839 Lin Zexu and Guan Tianpei stationed troops here as they prepared for the British. Today the site is a national patriotism education base, and visitors can walk the cannon positions beneath Humen Bridge.

The fort sits just below Humen Bridge and can be reached on foot from the nearby waterfront area. Parts of the grounds have uneven stone paths, so sturdy footwear makes the visit more comfortable.

Weiyuan Fort is one of several forts built in 1835 along both banks of the Pearl River, forming a coordinated defense line across the water. Although the forts could not stop the British fleet in 1841, Weiyuan is considered the best-preserved of the group and is now protected at the national level.