Xiongzhen North Gate

Xiongzhen North Gate

Xiongzhen North Gate

Xiongzhen North Gate is located on Lianhai Road in Gushan District and is a second-class historical site. It is the site of a fortress built during the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, designed and supervised by British engineers at the request of Shen Baozhen. Together with the “Mighty Guardian of Southern Heaven” Qilü Fortress on Qihou Mountain across the harbor, it helped defend Kaohsiung Harbor. The site was also a key route from Qihou to the Fengshan area during the Qing Dynasty.

Today, looking up from the small slope next to the Shaochuantou Police Station, you can still sense the imposing, resolute presence of this old red-brick gate. Although the gate has been repaired many times and is now tightly flanked by residential buildings, the four bold characters “Xiongzhen North Gate” on the lintel still exude a fierce and heroic spirit.

Transportation guide: From in front of Kaohsiung Railway Station, take city bus routes 1, 2, 60, or 88 to Yancheng Roundabout, then transfer to route 99 and get off at Xiziwan. Walk up the steps to reach the site, though this bus runs less frequently. Alternatively, take city bus route 1 and get off at Sun Yat-sen University Station, then walk for 20 minutes along Shaochuan Street and Lianhai Road to reach Xiziwan.