Ancient Laiwu Fort

Ancient Laiwu Fort

The Ancient Laiwu Fort is a Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a patriotic education base.

The Great Laiwu Fort is located on Laiwu Island in Fengxiang Subdistrict, Chenghai, facing Nan'ao Island across the sea.

The Great Laiwu Fort was built in the 56th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1717 AD), standing opposite the Changshanwei Fort on Nan'ao Island, collectively referred to as the "Sister Forts." It is the largest and most intact ancient square-shaped fort site in eastern Guangdong. The outer perimeter is 42 zhang wide, 15 chi high, equipped with eight large cannons, 23 barracks, 40 patrolling soldiers, one warhorse, three riding horses, two outer-sea gunboats with 40 crew members, and it belonged to the Left Battalion of the Chenghai Regiment under the Nan'ao Garrison.

Today, the surrounding walls of the Great Laiwu Fort remain largely intact. The walls were constructed from lime-sand rammed earth and, despite weathering over time, are still solid and sturdy. The walls stand 6.7 meters high, stretch 51 meters long, and are 25.8 meters wide, forming a rectangle. The walls are 2.5 meters thick, with a 1.8-meter-wide walkway on top. The original barracks inside the fort have been destroyed. At the southeast corner, there is a square platform connected to the fort’s walls, forming a larger square with sides 12 meters long and walls 1.7 meters thick. The interior is filled with earth, level with the walls. Originally, it housed a lookout post and cannon mounts. A stone staircase leans against the southeast wall, leading up to the square platform and the walkway. On the eastern side, there is a gate that is 2.5 meters high and 1.5 meters wide.

The Great Laiwu Fort preserves its early Qing structure, with its surrounding walls largely intact. Geographically, it forms a strategic network with the Right Battalion’s Five Islets in Nan’ao County to the east, Fangji Mountain Outpost to the west, Pengwo-Dahao Battalion to the south, and the Right Battalion of the Zhenbiao Regiment to the north. It guards the entrance and exit of Chaozhou and Chenghai, making it one of the ancient coastal fortresses. Historically, the island saw two major victories against pirates—in the 3rd year of the Longqing reign (Ming Dynasty) and the 4th year of the Chongzhen reign (Ming Dynasty). After the construction of the Great Laiwu Fort in the 56th year of the Kangxi reign, stationed troops patrolled the borders, marking an important position and significance in the ancient military history of eastern Guangdong.

The Great Laiwu Fort was built in the 56th year of the Kangxi reign (1717 AD). On December 5, 1984, the Chenghai County People's Government designated the Great Laiwu Fort as a county-level cultural relics protection unit. On June 29, 1989, the Guangdong Provincial People's Government listed it as a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit.

Address: Southwest side of Laiwu Island, Chenghai District

Accessible via Bus Route 3

Opening Hours: Open all day, free admission

Fengxiang Subdistrict: Since the establishment of Chenghai County in the 42nd year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1563 AD), the Fengxiang area has historically been the seat of the county government. In 1994, after Chenghai was restructured from a county into a city, to streamline administrative management, with approval from the Guangdong Provincial Department of Civil Affairs, the former Chengcheng Town was abolished and Fengxiang Subdistrict was established. It governs 11 neighborhood committees, with a population of over 120,000 (including non-native residents) living on approximately 12 square kilometers of land. The industrial-to-agricultural ratio is 99.5% to 0.5%.

Fengxiang is situated in the eastern part of downtown Chenghai, connecting to the Jinhong Highway and Laiwu Port to the east, linking to National Highway 324 to the west, and bordering Chenglai to the south… Detailed information about Fengxiang Subdistrict ++