Zigong Sanduo Fort

Zigong Sanduo Fort

Zigong Sanduo Fort is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Sichuan Province.

Sanduo Fort is located 18 kilometers from downtown Zigong, perched atop Niukou Mountain in Sanduo Fort Town, Da’an District, Zigong. Situated at the junction of three counties, it stands at an elevation of 436 meters. The flat-topped mountain is surrounded by steep cliffs, making the terrain strategically defensible and difficult to attack. In 1851, due to the Taiping Rebellion, the major salt merchants of Ziliujing felt increasingly threatened and proposed building a fortified stronghold. Thus, led by prominent salt merchants Li Zhenheng, Yan Changying, and Wang Kejia, other wealthy families pooled funds to begin construction in 1853. After six years, Sanduo Fort was completed. It cost over 70,000 taels of silver and covers an area of 1.25 square kilometers. The name “Sanduo” reflects the joint efforts of the three families (Li, Yan, and Wang), and also embodies the Daoist ideals of “prosperity in three aspects”—wealth, longevity, and many sons. There’s also a saying that it stands for “abundant money, abundant produce, and abundant officials.” The fort features a rigorous overall layout and comprehensive internal facilities, including 400 acres of farmland, self-dug ponds, and ample grain storage. The fort walls have 2,555 gun ports, 24 artillery platforms, and 24 guard posts, along with over 300 various mansions within. Unfortunately, most of the fort walls, gates, and mansions have been destroyed, with only a few hundred meters of the western wall remaining. In recent years, the local government has restored over 1,000 meters of the wall, two fortress gates, and installed essential recreational facilities. Efforts are underway to revive the Eight Scenic Spots of the fort. The more than 10,000 pear trees in the nearly 200-acre pear orchard within the fort have become a major attraction, drawing numerous visitors during the annual spring pear blossom festival. Sanduo Fort has now become one of Zigong’s key tourist destinations.

Tips:

Address: Niukou Mountain, Sanduo Fort Town, Da’an District, Zigong City, 18 kilometers from downtown Zigong

Sanduo Fort Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Da’an District, Zigong City. Established as Qunle Township in 1953, restructured as a commune in 1958, reinstated as a township in 1984, and upgraded to Sanduo Fort Town in 1995. Located in the northern part of the district, 18.5 kilometers from the district government. It covers an area of 22.7 square kilometers with a population of 18,000. The Nele Highway, Neiyi Railway, and Sichuan–Southern High-grade Highway pass through the area. It administers 11 village committees (Lujia, Shizi, Lianhe, Nianpan, Xujia, Jiaozi, Longdou, Tongchun, Hongdeng, Changhe, and Shilong) and the Sanduo Fort neighborhood committee. Local enterprises include construction, building materials, and brewing factories. The main agricultural products are rice, corn, and wheat, along with... More details about Sanduo Fort Town++

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Sichuan Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units