Yutang Fortress

Yutang Fortress

Yutang Fortress is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Fujian Province.

Yutang Fortress is located in Yutang Village, Tongcheng Subdistrict, Fuding City, dating back to the Ming Dynasty.

Description: Originally known as Tangdi Fortress, it was constructed in the 39th year of the Jiajing era (1560) of the Ming Dynasty to resist Japanese pirates. The fortress has a square floor plan, with its northern side following the contour of the mountain and the southern edge wrapping around the coastline. The walls are made of granite, stretching 874 meters in circumference, standing 3.6 meters high and 3 meters thick. It has three gates on the east, south, and west. The west and south gates are arched, each 3.5 meters high, 3.1 meters wide, and 2.6 meters thick; the east gate is rectangular, measuring 3 meters in height, 1.7 meters in width, and 1.7 meters in thickness. The fortress once housed the patriotic general Qi Jiguang and his troops. Associated relics include the Yutang Xia Family Cemetery, built in the 15th year of the Daoguang era (1835) during the Qing Dynasty, which is a collective tomb for family members of the Xia clan who died resisting Japanese pirates in the 13th year of the Shunzhi era (1656).

In 2013, Yutang Fortress was designated as part of the eighth batch of provincial-level cultural heritage protection units by the People's Government of Fujian Province.

Protected area: A 20-meter buffer zone extends outward from all sides of the fortress walls; a 10-meter buffer zone surrounds the cemetery.

Tongcheng Subdistrict: Tongcheng Subdistrict is located in Fuding City on the northeastern coast of Fujian Province. Its geographic coordinates are between 26°52′–27°26′ north latitude and 119°55′–120°43′ east longitude. The total area is 1,526.3 square kilometers. By the end of 2003, the registered population was 563,500, including 191,400 non-agricultural residents. The Eastern Min dialect (Fuan variant) is widely spoken, with some areas also using the Southern Min dialect.

The municipal government is based in Tingshan. The city administers 3 subdistricts, 10 towns, and 3 townships (including 1 ethnic township): Tingshan Subdistrict, Tongcheng Subdistrict, Shanqian Street… More details about Tongcheng Subdistrict ++

Further reading:

· Eighth Batch of Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Fujian Province