Longyuan Fortress and Watchtower

Longyuan Fortress and Watchtower

Longyuan Fortress and Watchtower are located in Dutou Village, Dapai Town, Longmen County. The ancient enclosed courtyard house “Longyuan Fortress” was first built in the fourth year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1824), covering an area of 2,630 square meters. It features a three-hall, two-wing, one-enclosed-dragon layout and served as the former residence of Liu Shiji, a late Qing Dynasty scholar and inspector of the Guangdong-Guangxi Educational Affairs Office. Longyuan Fortress was built by Liu Shiji’s grandfather, Liu Xuerong, and completed in the sixth year of the Daoguang reign (1826), where Liu Shiji was born.

Upon entering “Longyuan Fortress,” you’ll see a two-story gatehouse with wooden grilles on the arched entrance. Passing through the gatehouse and stepping into the enclosed courtyard, you’ll find numerous houses, most of which are locked, with some having collapsed. Along the central axis of the courtyard stands the ancestral hall of the Liu family—a three-courtyard hall meticulously constructed, complete with flagpole stones. Behind the courtyard is a watchtower that is three to four stories high. Its rammed earth foundation walls over two meters thick and brickwork extending all the way to the top reflect the wealth of the Liu clan at the time.

In contrast to “Longyuan Fortress,” the five-story watchtower was built later, starting in the third year of the Xianfeng reign (1853). It faces southwest, has a height of 22 meters, is fully constructed with blue bricks, and covers an area of 400 square meters. The structure has a “qì” (器)-shaped floor plan, with over 200 firing holes around it, giving it a distant resemblance to medieval European castles.

In 2008, it was designated as part of the fifth batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units by the People's Government of Guangdong Province.

Dutou Village: Dutou Village…… Detailed information about Dutou Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units