Huli Hill Fort (Hulishan Paotai)

View from Huli Hill Fort

Huli Hill Fort - Huli Hill China’s doorstep, located on a bluff about 25m above the sea, is a great example of China's coastal defense system of days gone by. Began to build in 1891 and it took nearly five years to complete, this massive structure was made up from sand, clay, lime juice and glutinous rice. It is said that Huli Hill Fort is impregnable.
With an area of over 70,000 square meters, the Fort features the World of Exotic Stones – including 3,850 exotic stones in various shapes. But the highlight of the Huli Hill Fort is the 60 ton Geman-made 280mm Krupp coastal defense gun. It is the 19th-century old- est and largest coastal cannon in the world, and was included in the 2000 Guinness Book of World Records.

Huli Hill Fort, Xiamen
Huli Hill Fort, Xiamen

Moreover, there is The Rongguang Cultural Relics and Treasures Museum, which consists of five parts "Hall of Weird Stones in the World," "Hall of Ancient Cannons in the World," "Hall of Ancient Swords in the World," "Hall of Ancient Firelocks," and "Hall of Ancient Tree Fossils." The exhibits boast various ancient armaments such as cannons, guns and precious swords from all over the world, 455 armors of warriors, and 3,850 natural stones with bright colors, clear veins and vivid shapes.

View from Huli Hill Fort
View from Huli Hill Fort

Situated adjacent to the picturesque university, its mixed style of European half-underground bunker and Ming and Qing defense system has allure for tourists and also the archaeologist. Don’t miss the chance to check out centuries-old weapons and the unique collection of exotic stones. If you are lucky, you can see the nearby Taiwanese-ruled islands out across the water.

The canon in Huli Hill Fort
The canon in Huli Hill Fort
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