Following the well-marked paved walkways, we arrived at Cihou Fort (旗後砲台).
Cihou Fort was constructed during the Qing Dynasty in the late 19th century, a period when Taiwan’s coastal cities faced increasing pressure from foreign powers and naval incursions. Kaohsiung’s strategic position made it vulnerable, and controlling the harbour entrance was crucial. From this elevated position, soldiers could clearly observe incoming vessels long before they reached the inner port.
Unlike towering European castles, Cihou Fort is a low-profile coastal fort, designed to blend into the terrain while maximising defensive advantage.
Though no cannons remain in use today, the empty platforms and stonework make it easy to imagine the tension and alertness that once defined this place. One section of the fort is a fortified barracks, around rectangular square, with close-defence parapet on the roof.
As we walked through a door near the barracks, we were rewarded with a panoramic view of Cijin district.
"威震天南" (Wei Zhen Tian Nan) is the inscription above the entrance gate. During the War of 1895, the Japanese warship "Yoshino" bombarded the fortress, destroying the two characters "威震" (Wei Zhen) above the entrance gate, leaving only "天南" (Tian Nan).
Another section of the Fort is the main rectangular battery with four open emplacements (two facing west, one north and one south) for four Armstrong's 7 inch rifled muzzle-loaders (RML 7-inch 6½-ton), with bunkers for crews. Magazines were located on the lower level. Steep slopes of the Cihou hill served as fort's natural scarps.
With changing military technology and political landscapes, Cihou Fort eventually lost its defensive role. Instead of being abandoned or demolished, it was preserved as a historical and cultural site, allowing visitors to explore Kaohsiung’s coastal military heritage.
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