Haimen Ancient Fortress

Haimen Ancient Fortress

Dagukou Fort – Tianjin is the gateway to Beijing, and the Dagukou area is the “shield of Tianjin.” It is located at the confluence of the Haihe River and the Bohai Sea, 60 kilometers southeast of the city in Tanggu District. Fortifications were first established here during the Ming Dynasty and were named with the characters “Wei” (Might), “Zhen” (Suppress), and “Hai” (Sea). In the eighth year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1858), to strengthen coastal defenses and safeguard the capital region, six forts were built. Three were on the southern bank and two on the northern bank, gradually forming a complete defensive system centered around the main structures known as “Wei,” “Zhen,” “Hai,” “Men,” and “Gao.” In modern times, with increasing foreign aggression against China, the Dagukou region became an even more critical military stronghold in the north. With Humen in the south and Dagukou in the north, these were two major coastal defense barriers in China’s modern history.

Yet, the Dagukou Fort also stands as a historical testament to the Chinese nation’s resistance against invasion and its fearless stand against tyranny. From 1840 to 1900 — a full sixty years — foreign powers, in their quest for economic benefits and political privileges in China, launched four invasions of Dagukou between 1858 and 1900. Relying on their “strong ships and powerful cannons,” they brought the Dagukou region under their iron heel, even advancing to threaten Beijing, where they burned the Old Summer Palace, hailed as the palace of Eastern art. They forced the Qing rulers to flee the capital twice. Under the threat of invaders’ guns and cannons, the Qing government signed one unequal treaty after another. Faced with such powerful aggressors, the soldiers and civilians of the Dagukou region time and again fought to the death with their own flesh and blood, demonstrating to the world the unyielding, brave, and resilient spirit of the Chinese people. In 1901, under the humiliating Treaty of Shimonoseki, the Qing government was compelled to dismantle the Dagukou Forts. Today, only the “Hai” (Sea) Fort on the southern bank and three fort ruins remain.

After the liberation, the Dagukou Fort ruins were officially designated by the State Council as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level. It was also honored as one of the “Ten Scenic Spots of Tianjin” under the reputation of “Haimen Ancient Fortress,” and recognized as a Tianjin Patriotic Education Base. The fort is situated by the sea, allowing visitors to also enjoy distant ocean views.

Meanwhile, the nearby Haimen Bridge and Dagukou Lighthouse, adjacent to the Dagukou area, also attract visitors with their magnificent presence.

The Haimen Bridge was completed in 1985, with a total length of 903.74 meters. It consists of three parts: the main bridge, approach bridges, and access roads, making it the lift-span bridge with the largest opening span and highest lifting height in China. As early as the Ming Dynasty, this location served as the “Haimen” (Sea Gate) and became one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Tianjin. A Ming Dynasty poet once wrote a poem titled “Moonlit Night at Haimen”: “Gazing east from Haimen, the view is vast and bright; / Moonlight paints mountain and river, shadows take flight. / Ten thousand miles of blue waves blend with the sky; / A few sounds of nature echo deep in the night. / Crystal palaces sealed, fish and dragons feel the chill; / White jade walls rise high, cranes drift light. / No need for a boat to roam the boundless blue; / I’ve seen wonders that fulfill my life anew.” One can see how moving the moonlit night at Haimen was in the poet’s time — the vast blue waves, the profound silence. Today, the mighty bridge soars above, with bustling traffic on its deck, boats gliding below in neat lines, and distant sails racing forth like scattered stars. Especially at night, countless colorful lights shine brightly, casting dancing reflections on the water, making the bridge resemble a giant, dancing rainbow dragon — a breathtaking and delightful sight.

The Dagukou Lighthouse stands in the sea just outside the mouth of Dagukou. Built in 1978, it rises 56.45 meters high and is the tallest lighthouse currently designed and constructed independently in China. The lighthouse is circular, with its exterior decorated in white ceramic tiles and red-and-white glass, creating a harmonious contrast. Its top is adorned with a hexagonal red panel adorned with golden lattice windows, exuding a dignified simplicity and national character. The lighthouse is equipped with large lighting fixtures at its peak, capable of emitting navigational signals regardless of weather conditions — be it cloudy, rainy, or foggy. Especially at night, it can emit a powerful rotating beam with a range of up to 70 nautical miles. This magnificent 12-story lighthouse has become a symbol of Tanggu New Port. By day, viewed against the blue sky and green waters, the lighthouse stands gracefully like an exquisite pagoda. At night, its beams shine in all directions, guiding massive ships from around the world as they slowly enter the harbor along the illuminated channel. The flickering lights on the ships interplay with the lighthouse beam, creating a spectacular maritime nightlife scene.

The Dagukou Lighthouse is a place people yearn to visit. It is even more unique and captivating than ancient pagodas in secluded mountain temples. Nowadays, whenever people take a pleasure boat out to the waters beyond Dagukou, they make sure to admire the majestic silhouette of the lighthouse.