Once the guard tower of Kaohsiung Harbour, Cihou Fort is an18th-century site of fortified barracks and battery emplacements. It was builtin 1876 during the Qing Dynasty, and new guns have been installed over thecenturies. Learn about the various battles that took place at this fort againstlocal and national armies.
The fort’s Western style is reflected in the concrete andredbrick used to construct the site. This is because an English architect, H.W. Harwood, designed the fort. Explore the island for other defensive sites thatcollectively made this area one of the most heavily fortified in the world.
Make your way to Cijin Beach to sunbathe on a hot day. It is alittle dangerous to swim, but you are likely to see surfers testing the wavesmost days. Visit Cijin Lighthouse and enjoy views of the Taiwan Strait separatingthe island from the rest of Asia.
During a battle, a Japanese shell destroyed the main gate. Viewthe reconstruction completed in the 1990s along with the Chinese symbols thatwere inscribed on the original gate. The letters have an ambiguous meaning, butsome interpret their translation as “The Great Stone Holds the Southern Sky.”
The fort was not in use during the Japanese rule of Taiwan inthe first part of the 20th century. Once back in Chinese possession followingWorld War II, the site was further fortified with machine guns.
Cihou Fort is on the northern tip of Cijin Island, a narrowstretch of land southwest of Kaohsiung. Take the Orange Line of the metro toSizihwan Station and walk for 5 minutes to reach the harbour. Then ride theferry to Cijin Island, where you will find the fort. The boat journey takes about10 minutes and has a small fee.
