Dapeng Fortress

Dapeng Fortress

Dapeng Fortress is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a patriotic education base.

Dapeng Fortress is located in Pengcheng Community, Pengcheng Subdistrict, Dapeng District. Highlights: A great place to explore ancient sites, learn about history, and experience the charm of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The full name of Dapeng Fortress is “Dapeng Garrison Thousand-Household Fortress.” Covering an area of 110,000 square meters, it was built in the 27th year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1394) and is currently the only national-level key cultural relics protection unit in Shenzhen. The east, west, and south city gates, constructed with strip stones and blue bricks, still stand majestically today. Inside the fortress, there are four streets running east-west and four running north-south, with well-preserved quaint Qing-style buildings. The “Residence of General Zhenwei,” belonging to Lai Enjue, the Guangdong Navy Commander who fought against the British during the Opium War, and the “Residence of General,” belonging to Liu Qilong, the Fujian Navy Commander, are both grand in scale and imposing in presence.

Touching this wall, weathered and mottled by time, one can almost hear the echoes of battles from hundreds of years ago. The white bricks at the base of the wall are from the Ming Dynasty, while the blue bricks are from the Qing Dynasty.

Dapeng Ancient City boasts a majestic and solemn style with an ancient simplicity. Located in Pengcheng Village, Dapeng Town, eastern Shenzhen, it was built in 1394 by Zhang Bin Kai, the commander of the Guangzhou Left Guard Thousand-Household. It served as the “Dapeng Garrison Thousand-Household Fortress” established during the Ming Dynasty to combat Japanese pirates, abbreviated as “Dapeng Fortress.” Originally covering approximately 100,000 square meters, the fortress walls were 6 meters high and 1,200 meters long, constructed from mountain hemp stone and blue stone bricks. The nickname “Pengcheng” for Shenzhen today originates from here.

It takes about ten minutes to drive from Dapeng Town to Dapeng Fortress. Nowadays, the entrance of Dapeng Fortress is surrounded by modern rural architecture, with the ancient Dapeng Fortress nestled within. Upon arriving at the fortress entrance, you can see its majestic and solemn city gate with an ancient style. Although it has undergone several renovations, the gate remains well-preserved. According to archaeological experts, Dapeng Fortress is currently the best-preserved garrison fortress.

Touching this wall, weathered and mottled by time, one can almost hear the echoes of battles from hundreds of years ago. According to Weng Songling, the director of the Dapeng Fortress Museum, the walls have been renovated several times during the Ming and Qing dynasties and in modern times. The different colors of the walls distinguish the renovations from various periods. The white bricks at the base are from the Ming Dynasty, while the blue bricks are from the Qing Dynasty.

Walking into Dapeng Ancient City, you can see well-preserved residences and homes from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The narrow, winding alleys are paved with bluestone slabs, creating a tranquil and ancient atmosphere. Several grand and uniquely designed Qing-era “Residences of Generals” are orderly distributed. Among them, the “Residence of General Zhenwei” belonging to the anti-British hero Lai Enjue is the most spectacular. With a history of 150 years, this residence includes dozens of houses, halls, rooms, wells, corridors, and courtyards, featuring numerous plaques, carved beams, and painted rafters. It is a rare large-scale ancient building in Guangdong Province.

The residences of the generals are well-preserved. Although the ancient city has endured over 600 years of vicissitudes, the main layout, streets, and buildings of Dapeng Fortress remain largely intact. In addition to various temples and residences, there are more than ten Qing-era residences of generals, among which the “Residence of General Zhenwei” belonging to Lai Enjue is the most complete.

The Residence of General Zhenwei was built in the 24th year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty. The entire residence is enclosed by thick walls about a zhang (approximately 3.3 meters) high, exuding the grandeur of a “generals’ family residence.” The two compounds consist of three sections, each with three bays and three rooms. The central hall features three halls and two courtyards, with corridors connecting the sections. The floors are paved with red bricks, and the walls are built with blue bricks on stone foundations. According to historical records of the Hakka people in Dapeng, the Lai family has been martial for generations since the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, with three generations producing five generals, historically known as the “Three Generations, Five Generals.” Lai Enjue, as Lin Zexu’s deputy, successfully commanded the “Kowloon Naval Battle,” which was the first victory in China’s modern anti-British wars.

On June 25, 2001, with the approval of the State Council, Dapeng Fortress was officially listed as a “National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit,” becoming the only national-level key cultural relics protection unit in Shenzhen to date and the most historically significant tourist attraction in the city. However, most of the original residents of the ancient city have now moved abroad, and many local homes have been rented out to migrants, leading to issues such as natural damage, human-caused destruction, fire safety hazards, and sanitation problems. As a result, some NPC deputies have called on the government to strengthen the protection of Dapeng Fortress. Since the fortress is managed by Dapeng Town, the town government faces challenges in terms of management systems and funding, resulting in insufficient preservation and development of the fortress as Shenzhen’s only national-level cultural relics protection unit. Therefore, deputies have suggested transferring the management of Dapeng Fortress to the city level. Fortunately, their suggestions have been taken seriously by relevant departments. After multiple on-site inspections, the municipal cultural authorities have submitted proposals to the municipal government regarding the management system, property rights, protection planning, and safety of Dapeng Fortress. Soon, the ancient city will be officially placed under city-level management. Currently, relevant departments are working on a specialized cultural relics protection plan. The Municipal Cultural Relics Management Committee and the Municipal Planning and Land Resources Bureau have jointly commissioned the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design to prepare the “Shenzhen Dapeng Fortress Protection Plan,” which is about to undergo expert review. Once approved, the ancient city will be incorporated into Shenzhen’s urban construction master plan.

The Zhao Ancestral Hall in Pengcheng is located at the northern end of South Gate Street inside Dapeng Ancient City, Pengcheng Community, Pengcheng Subdistrict, Dapeng District, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. It is a mid-Qing Dynasty government-style building. Locally, it is also known as the “Great Government Office” or “Governor’s Office.” This early Qing Dynasty structure is evidenced by its inclusion on the Dapeng Fortress map in the Jiaqing-era “Xin’an County Annals,” indicating that the hall was built before 1813 (the 24th year of the Jiaqing reign). The entire building faces south, with a width of about 7 meters and a depth of about 28 meters, covering a construction area of 168 square meters. Its layout consists of three bays, two sections, and one courtyard. It has a strip stone foundation, blue brick walls, wooden beams, a gray tile roof, and a boat-shaped ridge. It is an early Qing Dynasty government-style building that was later repurposed as an ancestral hall or temple.

The Site of the Dapeng Garrison Deputy Commander’s Office, also known as the Site of the Dapeng Garrison “Assistant Command Office,” is located inside Dapeng Fortress in Longgang District. The Dapeng Garrison Deputy Commander, also referred to as the Dapeng Garrison Assistant Command, was a second-rank military official during the Qing Dynasty. This official was the highest military commander of Dapeng Fortress, overseeing the maritime defense of a 400-li coastline from the fortress’s adjacent waters to the Pearl River Estuary, including Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and Lantau Island, as well as the strategic left sea route of the Pearl River Estuary, known as the “Gateway to the Provincial Capital.”

The Residence of Physician Lin Shiying is located inside Dapeng Fortress in Longgang District. Built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, this small courtyard faces south and consists of three bays and three sections. The entire building faces south, with a side entrance, covering a construction area of 120 square meters. Its architectural features include a strip stone foundation, blue brick walls, wooden framework, tiled roof, a layout of two bays, two sections, and one courtyard, and a brick-and-wood structure. The horizontal plaque above the door is inscribed with the characters “Residence of a Physician.”

The Tin Hau Temple in Dapeng Fortress is located inside the west gate of the fortress. Built during the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, it is a temple dedicated to the sea goddess Tin Hau. The temple covers an area of over 200 square meters and is divided into three sections, with 13 steps in front of the gate. The corridor features two tall granite pillars, intricately carved. The red-painted plaque above the gate bears the three large gold-lacquered characters “Tin Hau Temple” in running script. On either side of the gate is a couplet: “Worshipped by all nations, the divine power calms the waves of the Guangdong Sea; Worshipped for millennia, the offerings trace back to Putian.” For over 500 years, the temple has enjoyed flourishing incense offerings. On the 23rd day of the third lunar month, the birthday of Tin Hau, and every five years, a grand “Jiao Festival” is held. It is said that famous Qing Dynasty generals such as Liu Qilong and Lai Enjue, as well as officers of the Dapeng Garrison such as colonels, defenders, and commanders, often visited the temple to worship.

The Residence of General Lai Shichao, also known as the “Lai Family Ancestral House,” is located in Lai Mansion Lane, Dapeng Fortress. Built in the early to mid-Qing Dynasty, General Lai Shichao was one of the “Three Generations, Five Generals” of the Lai family. In the 10th year of the Daoguang reign, he served as the examiner for the martial arts examinations in Fujian and Guangdong, was honored with the title of Wuyi Duwei (Martial Valor Commandant), and rose to the rank of Guangdong Qiongzhou Town Commander, earning the title of Wugong General (Martial Valor General) with a second-rank official status. The entire building faces west, covering an area of 140 square meters, with a layout of three bays, three sections, and two courtyards. It is a brick-and-wood structure with a tiled roof, a flush gable roof, and a decorative ridge, representing a mid-Qing Dynasty residential-style building. The original horizontal plaque above the main gate bore the inscription “Residence of a General,” and the sides once featured a wooden couplet reading “Martial prowess must be swiftly demonstrated; true merit lies in subtle display.” These no longer exist.

The Residence of Sima Zheng from the Zheng Family is located on the main street of the west gate of Dapeng Fortress. Built in the late Qing Dynasty, it consists of two units with three sections, a width of 7.1 meters, and a depth of 9.3 meters. It features exquisite and sturdy eave wood carvings. The rear hall houses a spirit tablet, and the small courtyard is well-preserved. The horizontal plaque above the gate is inscribed with the characters “Residence of Sima.” The owner, Zheng Caili, served in the Tongzhi Office and held the title of Tongzhi, also respectfully called “Sima.” The residence of a Tongzhi official is also known as the “Residence of Sima.” The entire building faces south, covering an area of 140 square meters. It is divided into left and right sections: the left side has three bays, two sections, and one courtyard, while the right side has one bay, two sections, and one courtyard. Its architectural features include a strip stone foundation, blue brick walls, and a tiled roof.

The Residence of General Li is located at No. 7, Dongcheng Lane, Dapeng Fortress. Built in the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty, the entire building faces south, covering an area of approximately 140 square meters. It has a layout of three bays, two sections, and one courtyard, with a side entrance. It is a brick-and-wood structure with a strip stone foundation, blue brick walls, a wooden framework, and a tiled roof. According to research, the original horizontal plaque above the gate bore the inscription “Residence of a General,” but it no longer exists.

The Houwang Temple in Dapeng Fortress is a temple dedicated to Zhang Liang, the Marquis of Liu during the Han Dynasty. Its founding date is unknown, but based on the existing architectural remnants, the current structure was rebuilt in the late Qing Dynasty. During the 1960s and 1970s, the temple was repurposed as a commune granary and underwent modifications, including covering the courtyard and adding a second floor to one section. Originally a two-section, three-bay temple with two corridors, a courtyard, a width of 9.2 meters, and a depth of 17.6 meters, it was later damaged, but the lower foundation and other parts remain intact. The granite stone couplet on the temple gate is still preserved, inscribed with the characters “Brilliant strategies to overthrow Xiang and support Liu, extraordinary feats to protect the people and the nation.” Based on the content of the couplet, it is believed to be a temple dedicated to Zhang Liang. A granite stone plaque in front of the temple bears the four large characters “Houwang Temple” in relief.

The Residence of General Lai Shiyang is located in Lai Mansion Lane, Dapeng Fortress. Built in the mid-Qing Dynasty, General Lai Shiyang was one of the “Three Generations, Five Generals” of the Lai family. He rose to the rank of Fujian Navy Commander and was honored with the title of Jianwei General (Establishing Valor General) with a first-rank official status. The entire building faces west, covering an area of 230 square meters. It has a layout of three bays, three sections, and two courtyards, is a brick-and-wood structure with a tiled roof and a flush gable roof. Except for the rear hall, the building has mostly been modified, resulting in significant damage to its original appearance.

The Residence of General Lai Enjue, known as the Residence of General Zhenwei, is located in Lai Mansion Lane on the right side of the south gate of Dapeng Fortress. Built in 1844 (the 24th year of the Daoguang reign), it is a grand structure with a construction area of 2,500 square meters. The horizontal plaque above the gate is inscribed with the five large characters “Residence of General Zhenwei” in regular script. In front of the gate are a pair of drum stones and a pair of stone lions. The eaves, beams, and other decorations feature gold-lacquered carvings depicting figures, flowers, birds, plants, and calligraphic poetry. The building materials include blue brick walls, red brick floors, wooden beams, and stone column bases. The roof is a flush gable style with a gray ridge.

Yiwen Tower is located in Lai Mansion Lane, Dapeng Fortress. Built in 1846 (the 26th year of the Daoguang reign), it covers an area of 360 square meters and is a two-story brick-and-wood structure with two sections, three bays, and a central courtyard. The floors are paved with large bricks, the wall base is made of blue hemp stone, and the upper part is built with blue bricks. It has a tiled roof, a flush gable roof, and a boat-shaped ridge. Yiwen Tower served as the study of General Lai Enjue, hence it is also called the “Lai Mansion Study.” It once displayed a plaque inscribed with “Chonglan Study Room” and was later used as a study room for the children of the Lai family. After the liberation, it was used as a commune granary. It is now a museum exhibition hall.

Dapeng Granary was originally built during the Kangxi reign and expanded during the Yongzheng reign. It was an ancient military grain storage facility. As a military stronghold, Dapeng Fortress has always had granaries for storing military provisions, managed by designated officials. The current granary was rebuilt in the 1950s. It often hosts exhibitions at the Dapeng Ancient City Museum in Longgang District, such as the “Ancient Weapons Exhibition,” “Architectural Art Exhibition,” and “Dapeng Folk Marriage Exhibition.”

The Residence of General Liu Qilong is located in Dapeng Fortress, Dapeng Town, Longgang District, Shenzhen. Built during the Jiaqing and Daoguang reigns of the Qing Dynasty, it is a courtyard-style building complex with a brick-and-wood structure, covering a construction area of about 510 square meters. Entering through the side gate, the central hall is the main room, with three bays, three sections, two halls, one courtyard, and six side rooms. The left side is the backyard, with four side rooms and one courtyard. The walls are made of brick, the beams are wooden, the column bases are stone, and the roof is a flush gable with gray plaster decorations. The interior floors are paved with square bricks. The eave boards are carved with designs of flowers, birds, plants, and figures.

The Residence of General Lai Enxi is located on South Gate Street, Dapeng Fortress. Built in the mid-Qing Dynasty, the owner, General Lai Enxi, was one of the “Three Generations, Five Generals” of the Lai family. He rose to the rank of commander of Jinjiang Town in Fujian and was honored with the title of Wugong General (Martial Valor General). The entire building faces west, covering an area of about 120 square meters, with a layout of three bays and two sections. It is a brick-and-wood structure with a tiled roof and a flush gable roof. The eaves of the main gate are carved with floral designs, and the corridor walls feature simple murals.

Address: Pengcheng Community, Pengcheng Subdistrict, Dapeng District, Longgang District, Shenzhen

Type: Ancient Town, Ancient Village, Historical Site

Recommended visiting time: 2–3 hours

Phone: 0755-84319269; 0755-84315618

Official website: http://www.szdpsc.com/

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00–17:00; closed on Mondays.

Ticket information: Free entry. Entry is free with –.

Pengcheng Community: Located to the east of Dapeng Subdistrict and adjacent to the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, Pengcheng Community covers a total area of 20.5 square kilometers. The community comprises seven residential groups: Southeast, Northeast, Southwest, Northwest, Wuchong, Sihe, and Jiaochangwei, with a total population of over 14,000, including 630 registered households totaling 1,828 residents. In recent years, Pengcheng Community has been recognized as a Civilized Village, Sanitary Village, and Livable Community by both Shenzhen City and Guangdong Province. Currently, our community is developing into a new-type modern community characterized by orderly management, comprehensive services, beautiful environment, good public security, convenient living, and harmonious interpersonal relationships... More detailed information about Pengcheng Community++

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level