Dapeng Fortress

The Dapeng Fortress, more than an hour’s drive from the east of Lowu, was built over six centuries ago as a step of protection against Japanese pirates and is an exemplar of a Ming Dynasty military camp. It is best known for being the site of the British naval attacks of September 4, 1839 in the Opium Wars. It will take almost an afternoon to get there and appreciate the architecture of this historical complex.

Located within the vicinity of the Dapeng Township, this fort contributed significantly to the history of the settlement in several ways than one. On September 4, 1839, the Chinese troops led by General Lai Enjue, defeated the better equipped Japanese enemies in fishing boats. This is widely considered to be the inception of the Opium War. Later, General Lai Enjue was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese militia and in 1844 Emperor Daoguang commanded the building up of the Zhenwei General Mansion.

The Fortress has survived natural and social disasters for over 600 years now. Bordering either side of the narrow street are residences with black tiles and exquisite oriental architecture, typical of the Ming and Oing dynasties. The Shenzhen Municipal Government has recognized the historical and cultural relevance of this site by commissioning the setting up of the Dapeng Fortress Museum in 1996 to manage and research relics and boost tourism.