Ruins of Jiantiao Garrison Fort

Ruins of Jiantiao Garrison Fort

The Jiantiao Garrison Fort is located 20 kilometers from Sanmen County and borders the waters of the Sanmen Bay to the east.

The Jiantiao Garrison Fort in Sanmen is located at a crucial coastal defense point and has long been targeted by foreign invaders. Famous generals such as Yu Dayou, Qi Jiguang, and Tan Lun were successively stationed here to fight against Japanese pirates. They repeatedly battled the invaders along the shores of Sanmen Bay, commanding great respect and leaving behind many heroic and moving stories.

In the 20th year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1387 AD), following Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang’s directive to “build high walls and store ample grain,” General Tang He constructed dozens of garrison forts along the coasts of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, among which Jiantiao Fort was one. The Korean visitor Choi Pu (1454–1504) from the Ming Dynasty provided a detailed account of the Jiantiao Fort in his work *Piao Hai Lu*: “All gates had double walls, and the sounds of drums, horns, and cannons shook the seas and mountains…”

The fort was built against a mountain, situated high above with a commanding view over the river. It stands with mountains on three sides and faces the sea to the east, making it easy to defend but hard to attack, while also providing an excellent vantage point. “Without pirate ships lying in ambush or scouts, enemies would find it very difficult to land.” To the south of the fort lies Jiantiao Port, over 400 zhang (approximately 1,300 meters) wide, connecting directly to the sea and leading into Sanmen Bay’s Maotouyang area. It links upward to the Snake Pan Islands and downward to Qingyu Islet and Niutouyang, serving as a key coastal defense checkpoint. The fort’s walls stretch approximately 1,000 meters, extending from the ridge of Shuangfeng Mountain in the east, curving around to the north and south before closing at the western foothills, forming a horseshoe shape. Currently, the section of wall from the southern mountain foot to the northern gate mountain foot has been destroyed and replaced by modern buildings. The highest surviving part of the wall reaches about 10 meters, with a width of 5–8 meters. The base consists of stacked stone blocks, filled with yellow clay. Originally, there were four gates, two of which are recorded: the western gate named “Dengming” and the northern gate named “Chongwu,” both of which no longer exist. The Jiantiao Garrison Fort is the only remaining Qianhu Fort (a military post with a thousand households) in present-day Sanmen. Major structures within the fort included the garrison office, drill ground, barracks, City God Temple, Qi Gong Shrine, battery platforms, and temples.

Initially under the jurisdiction of Taizhou Guard, the Jiantiao Fort later came under Haimen Guard and, during the Zhengtong era, was administered by Ninghai County. In the 40th year of the Jiajing reign (1561 AD), Qi Jiguang, the regional commander of Ningbo–Shaoxing–Taizhou, rebuilt the Jiantiao Fort to resist Japanese pirates. To commemorate Qi Jiguang’s immortal achievements, the local people built the Qi Gong Shrine within the fort. In the 4th year of the Wanli reign (1576 AD), the *Stele in Memory of Grand Commander Qi of Nantang* was erected to honor his legacy.

In the 1st year of the Yongli reign of the Southern Ming Dynasty (1647 AD), Prince Lu Zhu Yihai suffered defeat in Shaoxing. He was escorted to Jiantiao by Right Censor Zhang Huangyan and Shi’pu guerrilla leader Zhang Mingzhen to establish a temporary court. Court officials paid daily homage to him in the Water Palace of Jiantiao. Later, troops under Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) were also stationed at Jiantiao, making the Sanmen Bay area a frontline stronghold against the Qing.

In 1650, Tai Zhou Regional Commander Tian Xiong captured the Jiantiao Fort, relocated nearby coastal residents, and left the area in ruins. The Jiantiao Outpost was later reestablished, manned by left and right battalion commanders, with subordinate officers including Qianzong, Bazong, and external appointees.

In the 8th year of the Yongzheng reign (1730 AD), a naval garrison was established to patrol and defend the surrounding sea areas.

On January 7, 2011, the Jiantiao Garrison Fort in Sanmen, along with the Puxi Patrol Inspector Fort, was listed as part of the sixth batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units.

Jiantiao Town: In 2013, following an administrative division adjustment in Sanmen County, the former Jiantiao Town and Liuaotown were merged to form the new Jiantiao Town. The adjusted town governs 3 residential communities and 72 administrative villages (excluding Zhengyuisland and Taotou Village from the former Liuaotown), with the town government located at No. 43 Nan Dajie, Jiannong Village. It covers an area of 181.7 square kilometers and has a registered population of 67,300.

[Overview] Jiantiao Town is situated along the midsection of the golden coastline in southeastern Zhejiang, 20 kilometers from Sanmen County, and borders the waters of the Sanmen Bay to the east. The Jiantiao Port—one of Zhejiang’s four major deep-water harbors—runs through the entire town... More detailed information about Jiantiao Town ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units