Hongshan Fort

Hongshan Fort

Hongshan Fort gets its name from its location in the Hongshan area. Historical records state that in ancient times, when illuminated by the setting sun, the mountains here appeared a brilliant red, hence the name “Red Mountain,” which was later misheard as “Hengshan (横山),” leading to the fort also being called “Hengshan Fort.” It served as a defensive barrier in the Ming Dynasty’s Great Wall defense system, initially built in the 16th year of the Hongzhi reign (1503), commissioned by Qin Hua, Minister of Revenue and Commander-in-Chief of Military Affairs in Shaanxi. It has stood for over 500 years. Hongshan Fort was a garrison town situated adjacent to the Ming Great Wall, constructed under the direction of Shi Yong, the Pacification Commissioner of Ningxia. It stretched 50 li east from Qingshuiying to 20 li west of Hongshan Fort. The fort housed 251 stationed troops, with one fort commandant, one garrison officer, and eight beacon towers (signal fire platforms), overseeing approximately 30 li of the Great Wall from east to west. In peacetime, Hongshan Fort served as a hub for trade and cultural exchange between various ethnic groups both inside and outside the Great Wall. Though ravaged by war and eroded by time, the fort’s walls remain largely intact and imposing. Although the barbican gate of Hongshan Fort has been buried by windblown sand, its grand structure still stands firmly atop the earthen plateau. Within the fort, remnants of original house foundations can still be seen. Based on the Ming military housing system—where five soldiers shared one barracks—it is estimated there were over 50 buildings. At the northwestern terrace of the fort, a large accumulation of broken bricks, tiles, and construction debris can be found, likely from the residence of the fort commandant. Before its damage, this may have been a grand and high-grade building.

Hongshan Fort is a garrison town located adjacent to the Ming Great Wall. Historical records indicate it was built in the 16th year of the Zhengde reign (2521 AD) under the direction of Shi Yong, the Pacification Commissioner of Ningxia. It stretched 50 li east from Qingshuiying to 20 li west of Hongshan Fort. The fort housed 251 stationed troops, with one fort commandant and one garrison officer, as well as eight beacon towers (signal fire platforms) overseeing approximately 30 li of the Great Wall from east to west.

In peacetime, Hongshan Fort served as a hub for trade and cultural exchange between various ethnic groups both inside and outside the Great Wall. Though ravaged by war and eroded by time, the fort’s walls remain largely intact and imposing. Although the barbican gate of Hongshan Fort has been buried by windblown sand, its grand structure still stands firmly atop the earthen plateau. Within the fort, remnants of original house foundations can still be seen. Based on the Ming military housing system—where five soldiers shared one barracks—it is estimated there were over 50 buildings. At the northwestern terrace of the fort, a large accumulation of broken bricks, tiles, and construction debris can be found, likely from the residence of the fort commandant. Before its damage, this may have been a grand and high-grade building.

Initially, the number of stationed soldiers at the fort was just “102 men.” By the Tian Shun era (1457–1464) of Emperor Yingzong of Ming, the Wala tribes of Mao Li Hai, A Luo Shu, and Xue Luo Hu grew stronger and settled in the Hetao region. Starting from the first year of the Chenghua reign (1465), these three Wala tribes frequently raided Shaanxi and Ningxia. In the ninth year of Chenghua (1473), Wang Yue achieved a major victory over Bo Hu Luo and other tribes at Hongyan Pool, then part of Lingzhou, forcing them to “cross the river and retreat northward.” However, the Tatar tribes grew increasingly powerful, and under the leadership of the Young Prince, they re-entered the Hetao region, often harassing the border areas, causing “tens of thousands of casualties” and severely disrupting local production. As a result, the defensive responsibilities of forts along the Great Wall, including Hongshan Fort, became even more critical. In the 16th year of the Zhengde reign (1521), Qin Hua, Minister of Revenue and concurrently Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, Commander-in-Chief of the Three Borders (Shaanxi, Ningxia, and Guyuan), assigned Shi Yong, the Pacification Commissioner of Ningxia, to expand Hongshan Fort. The fort measured approximately 380 meters from north to south and 320 meters from east to west, with a barbican 30 meters long and 20 meters wide. It housed 251 stationed troops, with one fort commandant and one garrison officer. Within the fort, remnants of original house foundations can still be seen. Based on the Ming military housing system—where five soldiers shared one barracks—it is estimated there were over 50 structures. At the northwestern terrace of the fort, a large accumulation of broken bricks, tiles, and construction debris can be found, likely from the residence of the fort commandant. Before its damage, this may have been a grand and high-grade building.

When Hongshan Fort and similar defensive barriers were initially established, they served two main purposes: first, to strengthen the defenses along the Great Wall (as discussed in the introduction to the Hidden Troop Caves), and second, for “autumn defense.” The concept of “autumn defense” has ancient roots. By the Ming Dynasty, the Tatar and Wala nobility, following the traditions of nomadic tribes such as the Turks, would launch large-scale southern invasions during autumn when their horses were strong and pastures lush—coinciding with the crucial harvest season for agricultural communities. To counter this threat, from the Sui and Tang dynasties through the Ming, large military forces were deployed to guard the borders during autumn to protect the harvests, hence the term “autumn defense.” However, its role extended beyond that. For example, after the implementation of the “Deep Trenches and High Ramparts” strategy by Wang Qiong in the 10th year of the Jiajing reign (1531) with the construction of the “First Border,” the “Ning-Yan Highway” within the Great Wall was connected to the protected transport routes of northern Shaanxi, forming a vital “golden trade corridor.” Additionally, post stations were established at various barriers from Hengshan to Qingshuiying, including Hongshan Post, which had 18 relay horses. The original staff of three was increased to seven. The route southward from Lingzhou to central Shaanxi was extended by 120 li, becoming a key route for military supplies, official communications, and the movement of officials in the Ningxia garrison—forming, together with the “Ning-Yan Highway,” two major protected transport arteries. Another important function was facilitating trade between communities inside and outside the Great Wall at the “horse markets” and “cattle and sheep markets” near Qingshuiying. Hongshan Fort served as one of the main access points.

Historical records indicate that along the Ming Great Wall, from Hengcheng to the current boundary of Yansui, there were a total of 21 defensive barriers (smaller forts built between larger castles as needed were called “obstacles”). Hengcheng defended a 17-li section, Qingshuiying a 36-li section, and the 18-li stretch between the two was under the jurisdiction of Hongshan Fort. Thus, Hongshan Fort bore responsibility for both Hengcheng and Qingshuiying, highlighting its clear military significance. This, combined with its unique geographical location, makes the presence of the Hidden Troop Caves easier to understand—they were likely built around the 10th year of the Jiajing reign (1531), when the “Deep Trenches and High Ramparts” strategy was implemented.

At the base of the Great Wall north of Hongshan Fort and other barriers, there were generally “hidden gates” (arched small passageway doors resembling city gates) that allowed passage between the inner and outer sides of the Great Wall, guarded and operated according to regulations by stationed troops. In addition, during the Ming Dynasty’s construction of the Great Wall, a beacon tower was built every 5 li along the inner side. Hongshan Fort had four such towers: Anbian Dun, Daying Dun (the Great Wall at this tower featured a “hidden gate”), Zhenluo Bian Dun, and Ya’er Bian Dun. These beacon towers were built from rammed earth and were also known as smoke towers, signal towers, fire beacons, watchtowers, or wolf smoke towers, commonly referred to as “smoke towers.” Such towers were also set up along the Great Wall itself and were dedicated to military signaling. During the day, smoke signals were used; at night, fires were lit. Signals were relayed in sequence to quickly alert towns or prefectural authorities of military intelligence. This ancient alert system has been hailed as “the world’s earliest wireless communication.”

A decree from the 2nd year of the Chenghua reign (1466) stipulated: “All signal towers and their guards must be regularly inspected and maintained. Ample firewood must be stockpiled, and guards must take turns watching day and night. In case of emergencies, smoke must be raised by day and fires lit by night to transmit warnings without fail, ensuring no disruption of military intelligence... Those who successfully report enemy movements shall be rewarded; those who fail shall face military punishment.” Each tower typically had three guards on duty, taking shifts around the clock. Regarding the transmission of military intelligence, the decree specified: “When frontier watchtowers raise signal fires or fire cannons, one fire and one cannon signal is given for one or two to one hundred enemies; two fires and two cannons for five hundred; three fires and three cannons for over one thousand; four fires and four cannons for over five thousand; and five fires and five cannons for over ten thousand.” Each beacon tower was usually equipped with flags, drums, ladders, stones, cannons, rockets, wolf dung, cow dung, firewood, and other materials.

Address: 4 km east of the Shuidonggou Paleolithic Cultural Site, 33 km northeast of Lingwu City, Yinchuan

Type: Historical Site

Recommended Visit Duration: 10–30 minutes

Phone: 0951-5014338

Official Website: http://www.shuidonggou.com/

Opening Hours: 8:00–18:00

Ticket Information: Included in the Shuidonggou Scenic Area ticket.