Cihou Fort — Attraction in Kaohsiung

Cihou Fort or Cihou Battery (Chinese: 旗後后砲台) is a historic fort in Cijin District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, formerly guarding northern entrance to Kaohsiung Harbor.

The first fortifications were built in 1720 when Taiwan was ruled by the Manchu-led Qing Empire of China. After Japanese expedition in 1984, the Qing authorities constructed a modern fort, which in 1880 had new Armstrong'sguns installed.It played no part in the Sino French war; the fighting in Taiwan took place around Keelongand during blockade French ships did not approach the port.

Taiwan was ceded to Japan according to the Treaty of Shimonoseki  in the aftermath of the first Sino-Japanese war. The local troops, however, fought on. On 12 October 1895, escadre commanded by admiral Arichi Simananojo arrived at Takow (modern-day Kaohsiung) and prompted the foreigners to evacuate, as they would conduct the attack on the next day. The foreigners boarded gunboat HMS Tweed and two tugs and withdrew (only to return once the fight was over). At 7 am, 13 October, Japanese ships "opened fire on the Takow forts at a range of about 6,000 yards. For the first half-hour, the forts responded, but after this their guns were silent...The forts fired twenty four rounds, the best shot being from the 8-inch B.L. Armstrong guns in Apes'hill fort, which struck the water about 500 yards from the Naniwa Kan." The Japanese troops seized the forts in early afternoon, suffering no casualties (4 Chinese soldiers were killed).

During the Japanese era the fort was not used.

After World War ∥ the hill was fortified by Chinese Army: light gun and machine gun nests cut in the rock can still be...

Glad we went up from the lighthouse side. Although the trail is a bit harder to walk than the fort side slope, but we were able to read the fort history and information exhibited in the lighthouse.

The fortress was built in Chinese character eye「目」shape. Originally it had German made battery/ cannons.

The front gate is located facing Chijin town with nicely decorated red bricks patten walls, two「囍」 and a half remaining name plate in the front. The other half of the name plate was destroyed by Japanese warship.

Unfortunately the park management has blocked the front stairs which you would easily miss it.

Be sure to look for it when you visit...

This was an old fort with certain areas rebuilt/restored. The fort itself was not really interesting: just an old building with lots of empty spaces and rooms.

If there were any historical significance to the place, it wasn't apparent, as there were no display or signboard telling any historical narrative. An old building without any historical narrative (or interesting story) is just an old boring building.

The vantage point here, though, was great!

You could stand on top of the fort and have a good view of QiJin and Kaohsiung Port. This was perhaps the most compelling reason to...