Ruins of Bailumen Fort

Ruins of Bailumen Fort

The ruins of Bailumen Fort are a cultural heritage site protected by Dongtou County.

The ruins of Bailumen Fort are located at the southwestern cove of Banping Township (Banping Island), Dongtou County, situated at a strategic point along the ancient maritime route. The fort was built on a hillside about 200 meters from the cove. Its walls are arranged in a straight line, stretching 30 meters in length, 3 meters in height, with a base width of 2 meters, and a small stream running through the middle. Gun ports are carved into the upper part of the wall, each 0.5 meters high and 0.27 meters wide. After the Opium War, piracy became rampant, and the people of Dongtou were frequently attacked, with bones littering the ground—hence the area came to be known as “Bainao Men” (White Skull Gate). During the Tongzhi era (1862–1874) of the Qing Dynasty, the Left Battalion of the Wenzhou Naval Patrol guarded the area. Local residents built the fort, purchased cannons, and organized their own self-defense forces.

Source: Wenzhou Museum