Site of the Zhenqiong Fort

Site of the Zhenqiong Fort

The Site of the Zhenqiong Fort is a cultural relic protection unit of Hainan Province.

The Site of the Zhenqiong Fort is a key cultural relic protection unit in Haikou City, located within Binhai Park on the north side of East Binhai Road and the south side of Taihua Road in Longhua District, Haikou. It is managed by the Haikou Museum.

The Zhenqiong Fort was built in the 11th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1885 AD). It has a circular layout and is an open-air ancient fort, encircled by surrounding walls that rise to a height of 3.15 meters. The entire site covers an area of 0.89 mu. Inside the fort, the northern section is divided into five gun emplacements by protective walls, each originally housing one cannon (the original cannons are no longer present). The cannons faced north, directly toward the Qiongzhou Strait, controlling the entire Haikou Bay. There are also cement staircases leading up to the rooftop platforms of the emplacements for keeping watch on enemy movements. A straight cement pathway, 15 meters long, connects the main gate to the gun emplacements and serves as the entrance to the fort, used for troop movement and ammunition transport. The area on both sides of the pathway is flat and spacious. On the western side of the fort, there is a well that provided water for the soldiers' daily use.

The Zhenqiong Fort was constructed during the Sino-French War as a defensive measure by the Qing government against potential French invasion of Hainan. It stands as a historical testament to the Chinese people's resistance against foreign aggression.

Source: Party History Research Office of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee