Chiwan Left Fort: a witness to history

Up on Yingzui Hill in Chiwan, Nanshan District, the Left Fort, first built in 1669 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), is a city-level protected cultural heritage item in Shenzhen.

Chiwan Ancient Fort, originally lining the left and right sides of a promontory overlooking Lingding Sea, was equipped with 12 cast iron cannons and served the function of coastal defense during the two Opium Wars (1839-42; 1856-60). In 1839, Qing Dynasty Governor Lin Zexu had the fort refurbished, hoping it would help curb the opium trade. Senior military official Guan Tianpei triumphed over the British troops on the sea, making good use of the fort. Today, only the fort on the left side of the promontory remains intact. 

A tower gate stands at the entrance to this grand heritage site, a few steps from which two 130-year-old banyan trees accompany the rusty cannons. Lin Zexu’s bronze statue stands north of the cannons, next to a plaque inscribed with quotes from his poems. 

Add: Chiwan Left Battery Road, Shekou, Nanshan District (南山区蛇口赤湾左炮台路左炮台)

Metro: Line 12 to Left Battery East Staiton (左炮台东站), Exit A