Dapeng Fortress, known as Dapeng Suocheng (大鹏所城), is a historical military stronghold built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Often referred to as “the greatest coastal fortress,” it has played a crucial role in safeguarding the maritime security of the Shenzhen and Hong Kong regions since its construction in the early Ming Dynasty in 1394, withstanding numerous invasions from foreign powers, including the Portuguese, Japanese pirates, and British colonizers
Covering an area of approximately 100,000 square meters, the fortress features a trapezoidal layout with walls standing 6 meters high and extending 1,200 meters in length. It is equipped with 654 crenellations and includes a horse path atop the walls. The fortress has four gates – East, West, South, and North (the North gate was blocked during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty) – each topped with a watchtower and flanked by guardhouses on either side. Surrounding the fortress are moats measuring 1,200 meters long, 5 meters wide, and 3 meters deep, enhancing its defensive capabilities.
Dapeng Fortress not only serves as a reminder of China’s rich maritime history but also adds to the cultural identity of Shenzhen, which is often referred to as “Pengcheng,” deriving its name from this historic site.
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Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0755-84319488 |
Location and Transportation
Dapeng Fortress is located at Nanmendong Road, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. To get there, you can take bus M457, M471, or PJ6 and get off at Dapeng Fortress Stop (大鹏所城).
Highlights of Dapeng Fortress
City Gate Tower: The City Gate Tower of Dapeng Fortress is an impressive structure that preserves the scale, layout, and overall style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The fortress has an irregular trapezoidal shape, measuring 345 meters wide from east to west and 285 meters long from north to south, covering approximately 100,000 square meters. Currently, the fortress features three existing gates—East, South, and West—as well as the ruins of an ancient city wall located about 300 meters northeast.
Dapeng Granary: The Dapeng Granary is located within Dapeng Fortress, established alongside the Yongying Granary. Construction of the granary began in the 14th year of the Wanli era (1586), but it fell into disuse after its closure in the 15th year of the Chongzhen era (1642).
Residential Buildings: Dapeng Fortress retains nearly 100,000 square meters of ancient residential architecture. The street layout and residential styles reflect the heritage of the Ming and Qing periods, with 17 significant residential buildings of cultural value remaining in the fortress.
General’s Residence: The Lai Enjue Zhenwei General’s Residence is the best-preserved ancient building within Dapeng Fortress, constructed during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty. It was granted by Emperor Daoguang. Another notable residence is the Liu Qilong General’s Residence, located on South Gate Street of the ancient city. This courtyard complex is a typical example of mid-Qing architecture, built for General Liu Qilong, who served as the Governor of Fujian during the Daoguang period (1821-1850).
