Sicao Fortress, Military fortification in Annan District, Taiwan.
Sicao Fortress is a military structure in Annan District with 13 gun holes built into its walls. Its inner section was constructed using locally sourced pebbles and stones, creating a sturdy defensive position adapted to the surrounding landscape.
Commander Yao Ying ordered its construction in 1840 during the First Opium War to defend Taiwan from British attacks. This period marked a time when China's coastal defenses had to rapidly adapt to threats from Western powers.
The fortress shows how traditional Chinese building methods came together with the coastal defense needs of the Qing era. You can see how the original stone structure was arranged to serve both defensive and practical purposes.
You can access the original stone walls and see the defensive system layout firsthand. Plan enough time to explore all parts of the structure and observe the construction details from various angles.
It started as a temporary gun platform and later became a permanent defensive structure, showing how Taiwan's coastal protection evolved over time. This transformation reveals the practical adjustments military planners made to face changing threats.
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