Qihou Gun Platform Introduction
The Qihou Fortress is located on the northernmost point of Qijin, atop Qihou Mountain. This place guards the entrance of Kaohsiung Harbor and has always been a strategically important military site throughout history. During the early Qing Dynasty, troops were stationed here, and a fortress was established. After the Mudan Incident in 1874, under the policy of strengthening coastal defenses, the Qing government built new fortresses at Qihou (mid-level), Shau Tou (low-level), and Chai Mountain (high-level) to comprehensively protect the safety of Kaohsiung Harbor with a three-tiered fortress system. Among the three fortresses, Qihou Fortress is the largest and best-preserved, located on the southern side of Qihou Mountain, and it faces the Qihou Lighthouse on the northern side. The design of Qihou Fortress is a blend of Chinese and Western styles, constructed with red bricks and adorned with traditional patterns such as paired double happiness characters and bats. The entire area is divided into a training ground, a large artillery area, and a command area. The entrance bears the inscription "Weizhen Tiannan," which echoes with "Xiongzhen Beimen" at Shau Tou. During the Yiwei War, it was bombarded by Japanese ships, and traces of battle damage can still be seen today. The artillery position benefits from height advantages to obtain better potential and kinetic energy, hence the location of the fortress also offers excellent scenic views. Visiting the Qihou Fortress not only allows for exploring the layout of military architecture from the late Qing Dynasty but also offers expansive views over the breakwater extending to the sea from the first harbor, the refreshing Qijin Beach, the urban skyline of Kaohsiung City, and the unique sights of "larger ships entering the port."
