Qihou Fort Introduction
Qihou Battery is located on Qihou Mountain at the northernmost end of Cijin Island, guarding the outlet of Kaohsiung Harbor. Its strategic location has made it a military stronghold since ancient times. During the early Qing dynasty, troops were stationed here and a battery was established. After the Mudan Incident in 1874, following the promotion of coastal defense policies, the Qing government built modern batteries at three locations: Qihou (middle position), Shachaotou (lower position), and Chai Mountain (higher position) to comprehensively protect the safety of Kaohsiung Harbor with these three batteries at different elevations. Qihou Battery is the largest and best-preserved of the three, situated on the southern side of Qihou Mountain, and overlooks the Qihou Lighthouse on the northern side. The design of Qihou Battery blends Chinese and Western styles, constructed with red bricks and adorned with traditional motifs such as the paired "double happiness" characters and bats. The entire area is divided into a drill ground, a main battery area, and a command area, with the entrance inscribed with "威震天南" ("Terrify the Southern Sky"), echoing the inscription "雄鎮北門" ("Guardians of the Northern Gate") at Shachaotou. During the Battle of Yiyi, it was bombarded by Japanese ships, and traces of the battle damage can still be seen today. The elevation advantage of the main battery enhances its potential and kinetic energy, making its location also a place with excellent scenic views. Visiting Qihou Battery allows one to explore the layout of military architecture from the late Qing dynasty while enjoying the expansive views of the breakwater extending toward the sea, Cijin Beach, a popular summer retreat, and the city skyline of Kaohsiung, as well as the unique sight of "large ships entering the port."
