Jinguitou Fortress, Coastal fortress in Magong, Taiwan
Jinguitou Fortress is a rectangular coastal stronghold with two arched gateways and double walls built in Qing Dynasty military style. Inside are former barracks and ammunition storage areas arranged according to defensive principles of that era.
General Wu Qixun built the fortress in 1864 to guard the coast against sea threats. It was damaged during the Sino-French War, which showed how regional conflicts affected Taiwan's defensive structures.
The fortress shows how Taiwan's military builders mixed Chinese and Western defensive ideas into their stonework. You can see this blend in the layout of the walls and the way different chambers are arranged throughout the structure.
The site opens Wednesday through Sunday and welcomes visitors to walk through both interior rooms and outer grounds at their own pace. Wearing comfortable shoes is helpful since the paths cross over stone pavement and uneven terrain.
The fortress contains three separate administrative buildings that show how military and civilian functions were kept in different spaces. This arrangement lets visitors directly understand the hierarchy and organization of 19th-century operations.
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