“A formidable guardian stands watch over the Pearl River’s main waterway.” That’s how I’d describe the Weiyuan Fort to someone who’s never seen it. The Weiyuan Fort is more than just old stones. It’s a silent witness to a pivotal moment in Chinese history. It’s located on Weiyuan Island in Humen Town. Imagine standing here in the 19th century. The air is thick with tension. Warships loom on the horizon.
Let’s step back in time. The First Opium War. A clash between empires. China’s coastal defenses were tested like never before. The Weiyuan Fort was a crucial part of that defense. It formed a “品” character with the Zhenyuan and Jingyuan Forts. Together with other forts like Hengdang, Yong’an and Gonggu, they created a formidable second line of defense.
The fort itself is an impressive sight. It stretches 360 meters long. It rises 6.2 meters high. It is 7.6 meters wide. The base is constructed from solid granite rocks. The top layer consists of compacted earth. This made it incredibly sturdy. Inside, you’ll find 40 vaulted dark gun emplacements. Each one stands 2.9 meters high, 4.2 meters wide and 6.6 meters deep.
Look around. Can you see the four open-air positions along the fort’s surface? Each gun position had storage rooms on either side. Behind the dark gun caves is a 2-meter-wide trench. A protective wall runs behind the trench. It features loopholes for muskets. This ensured continued resistance even if the enemy landed.
Within the Weiyuan Fort’s perimeter stood various structures. There was an official hall. There were three temples. Twelve soldier rooms provided accommodation. A pharmacy ensured medical care. A wharf facilitated supplies. Guarding each end of the fort were vaulted city gates. These controlled access to the only passages along the battery.
The renowned director Xie Jin chose the Weiyuan Fort as a filming location for the movie “Opium War.” This further cemented its place in history. Standing here, you can almost feel the echoes of the past. The Weiyuan Fort stands as one of China’s best-preserved and largest ancient cannon batteries.
From this vantage point, you can also see the Humen Bridge. It connects Guangzhou’s Nansha District and Dongguan City. The bridge spans 15.76 kilometers. The main bridge stretches 4.6 kilometers. It was China’s first large-scale suspension bridge.
Take a moment to appreciate the Weiyuan Fort. It represents resilience. It symbolizes resistance against foreign aggression. Its spirit remains undimmed. Even after centuries, the Weiyuan Fort continues to inspire. It reminds us of the sacrifices made to defend this land.