Hulishan Fort, Coastal military fortress in Xiamen, China.
Hulishan Fort is a stone military stronghold on Xiamen's southern coast built with thick granite walls, underground tunnels, and chambers for storing weapons and ammunition. The compound spreads across a substantial area and clearly shows the defensive architecture and infrastructure typical of late 19th-century coastal forts.
The fortress was built between 1894 and 1896 as part of China's effort to modernize its military defenses against foreign threats. This period marked a shift toward strengthening coastal protection with new weapons technology and strategic planning.
This fortress served as a key coastal defense stronghold and reflects how maritime protection was organized in the late 1800s. Walking through the compound reveals how soldiers lived and worked, with spaces clearly designed for weapons storage, ammunition, and daily military operations.
The fortress is open daily and visitors should wear comfortable shoes since there are stairs and uneven ground throughout the site. Coastal weather can change quickly, so it is helpful to bring appropriate clothing depending on the season.
The fortress houses a massive Krupp cannon from 1886, a remarkable example of German weaponry from that era. This gun is considered one of the world's oldest surviving coastal artillery pieces and shows China's international military connections during the 1800s.
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