Lying 60 kilometers (37 miles) southeast of Tianjin City, the
Dagukou Fort was built in 1816 to protect Beijing, the capital of
the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). As a heroic symbol of China's fight
against foreign invasion, the emplacement is considered one of the
three treasures of Tianjin by its people.
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Tianjin is the gateway to Beijing, and the Dagukou Fort is the
gateway to Tianjin. Both the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing
dynasties erected fortresses here because of its military
importance. In 1858, the Qing government built six emplacements
named Wei, Zhen, Hai, Men, Gao, and Shitoufeng. They were all
thicker and wider than those constructed in the Ming Dynasty.
Between the mid-19th century and 1900, the Eight-Power Allied
Forces launched four wars in the Dagu area to gain economic and
political control over China. The local armies and citizens fought
bravely against the invaders, and many Chinese people sacrificed
their lives for their country. After the war, the imperialists
forced the Qing government to destroy the emplacements. As a
result, most of the forts were demolished and only the Wei Fort and
the Hai Fort survived.
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Visitors can see the Dagu Fort Ruins Museum, the Dagukou Fort
Ruins Monument, and the Wei and the Hai forts here. The museum was
built in 1997 at the ruins of the Wei Fort. It displays the history
of the emplacement with abundant pictures, illustrations, and
objects. Of the six forts, the Wei Fort is the only round one. The
emplacement, which is more than 20 meters (65 feet) high, is made
of bricks. The cannons exhibited here are modeled on the ones used
in the Second Opium War (1856-1860). The spot conveys a vivid feel
for the cruel battle that took place in this area.
Near this emplacement ruins, many other scenic spots such as
Haimen Bridge, Dagukou Beacon, and Chaoyin Temple are also worthy
of visiting. A visit here is destined to be an unforgettable
one.
(Photos by Matthew J.
Stinson)
Travel tips:
Admission fee: 10 yuan
Opening hours: 08:00-17:00
Bus Route: Take Bus No.612 or 613 in Tianjin to Tanggu and
Transfer to Bus No.110.
(travelchinaguide.com July 25, 2007)
