Changzhou Fort

Changzhou Fort

Changzhou Fort is a cultural heritage site protected by Guangzhou Municipality.

Changzhou Fort is located on Changzhou Island on the southern bank of the main Pearl River channel in Huangpu, Guangzhou. The island covers an area of approximately 6 square kilometers, featuring undulating hills and a strategically vital terrain. It serves as the second gateway from Lion Sea into Guangzhou and has long been a critical and contested military stronghold.

Changzhou Fort was built in the tenth year of the Guangxu reign (1884). It comprises seven forts: Sifen Fort, Old Xigang Fort, Bai'tu Fort, Baihe Fort, Dapodi Fort, New Xigang Fort, and Hudie Fort. These forts were built on seven hills located southeast of Changzhou Island, stretching nearly 2 kilometers in a fan shape, arranged from north to south. The distances between the forts vary, as do the number and size of the artillery pieces, depending on the terrain. Each fort site includes auxiliary facilities such as barracks and ammunition depots. The structures feature arched roofs, thick walls, brick-and-stone construction, and cement flooring. The forts were usually garrisoned by over a thousand soldiers. The foreign-made cannons installed were produced by the German Krupp factory.

Changzhou Fort – Old Xigang Fort: Located on Old Xigang Hill behind the staff dormitory of Factory 4801, Xigang Community, Changzhou Subdistrict, Huangpu District

Changzhou Fort – Bai'tu Fort: Located at No. 70, Jinzhou Road, Xigang Community, Changzhou Subdistrict, Huangpu District (within Factory 4801 compound)

Changzhou Fort – Baihe Fort: Located on Baihe Hill behind Lane 16, Fujufang, Xigang Community, Changzhou Subdistrict, Huangpu District

Changzhou Fort – Dapodi Fort: Located within the dormitory area of the Changzhou Cement Factory, Xigang Community, Changzhou Subdistrict, Huangpu District

Changzhou Fort – New Xigang Fort: Located on New Xigang Hill, Xigang Community, Changzhou Subdistrict, Huangpu District

Changzhou Fort – Hudie Fort: Located on Hudie Hill, Xigang Community, Changzhou Subdistrict, Huangpu District

In 1999, the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government designated it as a cultural heritage site.

Changzhou Subdistrict: Established in August 2002, Changzhou Subdistrict is located in the southwestern part of Huangpu District and is an independent island at the mouth of the Pearl River. It is home to the renowned former site of the Whampoa Military Academy. To the southeast, it is connected by bridge to Xiaoguwei in Xinzao Town, Panyu District; to the west, it faces Haizhu District; and to the north, it lies across the river from Huangpu Old Port. The subdistrict spans a total area of 11.5 square kilometers, including 8.5 square kilometers of land. By the end of 2003, it had 177 hectares of arable land and 1,146.5 mu of forested hills. It is divided into four community neighborhood committees—Shenjing, Changzhou, Huangchuan, and Meiyuan—with 36 resident groups. The registered population included 6,231 households totaling 20,935 people... More details about Changzhou Subdistrict++

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Guangzhou Cultural Heritage Protection Units