Haimen Defensive Fortress

　　Listed as a first-class historic site, Haimen Defensive Fortress is situated on a hill in Sansha Bay, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, also commonly known as Ersha Bay Fort. Covering an area of more than 400 pyeong (approx. 1,300 square meters), it is the most grandiose among Keelung’s coastal fortifications. Within the site, city gates, gun emplacements, and the foundations of barracks walls are all built from stone. Viewed from afar, Haimen Defensive Fortress appears as a majestic gate towering above the lush, high shore, exuding a powerful aura.

　　The construction of Haimen Defensive Fortress can be traced back to the early years of the Daoguang Emperor’s reign, giving it a long history. The battle history of Ersha Bay Fort is also quite illustrious, having been involved in several major conflicts including the Opium Wars, the Sino-French War, and the Japanese invasion after the cession of Taiwan in 1895, making it of great historical significance. Notably, during the Opium War, when British forces entered Keelung Harbor and launched fierce artillery attacks on Sansha Bay, the defending commander Qiu Zhen Gong relied on the fortress's robust defenses, repelling the British and forcing them to retreat — a clear testament to its strategic importance in safeguarding Keelung Harbor.

　　Ersha Bay Fort has now been partially restored, offering a glimpse of the former glory of the historic gun battery. The city gate inscribed with the four characters “Haimen Defensive Fortress” (海门天险) serves as the symbolic heart of the entire site. Passing through the classic arched gateway filled with old-world charm, you’ll find a stone-paved plaza passage, with what were once soldiers’ barracks on either side now reduced to ruins and lush green lawns. Walking up the steps at the end of the passage, you’ll reach the highlight of Haimen Defensive Fortress — the old cannon area. Here, several well-preserved antique cannons, along with remnants such as bunkers, gun platforms, ammunition depots, and an ancient well, evoke a sense of history. From this vantage point, you can also gaze down at Keelung Harbor and almost feel the intensity of the battles that took place here.

　　Transportation Guide: Take Keelung City Bus No. 101 or 103 from in front of Keelung Railway Station and get off at Haimen Defensive Fortress Station. Walk up the stone steps and pathways to reach the site; alternatively, take Bus No. 205, get off at Stadium Station, then walk uphill in the direction of Zhongzheng Park. At the fork, turn right and continue straight — the site is about 2.7 km away.