Chiwan Ancient Fort

Chiwan Ancient Fort

The Chiwan Left and Right Forts are located at the tip of the Shekou Peninsula, where “a mountain ridge by the sea commands dangers on three sides,” flanking the east and west to control Chiwan Port and overlook the Lingdingyang waters. The restored Left Fort stands atop Yinzui Mountain at an altitude of 170 meters. The fort’s base is built from large granite blocks, with a total height of over 3 meters. The north side serves as the entrance to the fort, and inside, remnants of two house foundations remain on the east and west sides—former living quarters for the soldiers guarding the fort. The elevated platform on the south side, about 8 meters wide, was used for operating the cannons.

Chiwan Ancient Fort, situated at the tip of the Shekou Peninsula where “a mountain ridge by the sea commands dangers on three sides,” flanks the east and west to control Chiwan Port and overlook the Lingdingyang waters. The restored Left Fort stands atop Yinzui Mountain at an altitude of 170 meters. The ancient fort’s base is constructed from large granite blocks, with a total height of over 3 meters. The north side serves as the entrance to the fort, and inside, remnants of two house foundations remain on the east and west sides—former living quarters for the soldiers guarding the fort. The elevated platform on the south side, about 8 meters wide, was used for operating the cannons.

Chiwan holds a strategically important location. Historical records indicate that ancient ships traveling between Guangzhou and various nations in Nanyang all passed through this area. Starting from the Ming Dynasty, the government had set up watchtowers near Nanshan to guard against pirates. It was during the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi era (1662–1722) that forts began to be constructed in Chiwan, with the Chiwan Forts being built in the 56th year of Kangxi’s reign (1717). At that time, Yang Lin, the Fujian Governor-General who was transferred to serve as the Guangdong Governor, oversaw the construction of 126 military facilities including coastal forts, city walls, and defensive positions, among which 26 were gun batteries.

The Chiwan Forts were among them. Records state that the Chiwan Left and Right Forts were manned by thousands of soldiers and equipped with six cast-iron cannons, as well as 12 cannons known as “Folangji” guns—Western-style weapons whose manufacturing technique was introduced to Guangzhou during the Northern Song Dynasty. During the Opium Wars, Lin Zexu fortified the Pearl River estuary and had the Chiwan Forts restored. Guan Tianpei, the Commander of the Guangdong Navy, once led troops to defeat the British navy in the Lingdingyang waters. The Chiwan Forts played a significant role in supporting Lin Zexu’s anti-opium efforts.

Hidden within the foliage of the Left Fort is a sentry post. According to accounts, at the beginning of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, when the islands off the southeast coast had not yet been liberated, troops were stationed at the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple. The Left Fort is surrounded by sea on three sides, with steep mountain terrain. From the summit of Yinzui Mountain, the entire Chiwan Peninsula can be seen, so it was decided to establish a sentry station here. Inside the post was a large telescope, like an ever-watchful eye, vigilantly monitoring the Lingdingyang waters. Soldiers would often sleep fully clothed at night, with their guns nearby and ammunition chambered. In the early days of reform and opening up, the Chiwan Left Fort was still classified as a military zone. As reforms continued, its strategic military significance gradually diminished. “Facing the sea, with spring blossoms.” After Hong Kong’s handover in 1997, the area was completely declassified. The once-crucial sentry post remains on Yinzui Mountain as a historical relic. Today, the Chiwan Ancient Fort is one of Shenzhen’s key protected cultural heritage sites.

Transportation: Buses 226 and 355 serve Chiwan Ancient Fort, stopping at the “Tin Hau Temple” station.

Address: Zuoputai Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province

Type: Historical Site

Recommended Visiting Time: About 1 hour

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

Free admission.