Diaoyu Fortress, Military fortress in Hechuan District, China.
Diaoyu Fortress is a military stronghold on Diaoyu Mountain surrounded by three rivers - the Jialing, Fu, and Qu - situated at about 300 meters elevation. The compound covers a large area and contains multiple buildings, defensive walls, and stone structures that reflect its historical role.
The fortress played a significant role during the Southern Song Dynasty, resisting numerous attacks between 1243 and 1279 when Mongol forces attempted to capture it. A prolonged siege was one of the major confrontations that tested both defenders and attackers.
The site holds temples, ancestral halls, and ancient stone inscriptions that reveal how people honored their spiritual and family traditions over many centuries. These buildings remain visible today and help define the character of the mountain.
The site is accessible daily, and visitors should wear comfortable shoes for walking up the mountain, as there are steps and uneven terrain. Plan to spend enough time exploring the different areas of the compound, as the grounds are quite large.
The compound contains remains of an old naval wharf, training grounds, and watchtowers that show how advanced medieval defensive techniques were. Particularly noteworthy are cannons built into the walls, a rare form of defensive engineering from that period.
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