Chongwu City, Ancient coastal fortress in Quanzhou, China
Chongwu is an ancient coastal fortress in Quanzhou built with granite walls, watchtowers, and defensive structures from the Ming Dynasty period. The site stretches along the shoreline and combines military structures with an art park featuring stone sculptures.
The fortress was built in 1384 during the reign of the Hongwu Emperor to protect the southeastern coast from maritime invasions and pirate raids. It served as a key defensive position for this region over several centuries.
The Stone Arts Expo Park displays around 500 sculptures by local artisans, reflecting how granite carving remains a living craft tradition passed down through families in this region.
The site is accessible daily, and you can reach it easily using public transportation from central Quanzhou. Walking the length of the walls and grounds takes time, so wear comfortable shoes and plan for a full morning or afternoon visit.
This is the only fully preserved Ming Dynasty coastal defense structure remaining in China, maintaining its original granite construction methods throughout. These building techniques are no longer found elsewhere along the country's coast.
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