A part of the Westernization movement in China, the Huli Shan Fortress was once the commanding and central fortress out of the 8 located in the Xiamen Port. This complete and independent fortress alongside the coast of Xiamen was used in conjunction with the other forts to defend the city from invading forces. It is for this reason that Huli Shan is the home of a range of impressive Krupp Cannons.

These German built gun emplacements still rest exactly as they did when the fortress was active and are extremely well preserved. Out of these cannons there is one that stands out from the rest. The fort features a grand 280 mm rear loaded cannon that is the longest cannon in the world, and has a firing range of 16,640 metres, that would allow it to reach targets in neighbouring Taiwan.

Besides its once formidable defenses, the fortress itself is built out of a combination of sand, clay, camphor tree, juice, lime and glutinous rice which made it virtually impregnable to enemy attacks. Housed inside this tough interior today are a variety of exhibits that depict life as it was when the fort was occupied. Various statues, armaments, uniforms, weapons and more are all displayed here for guests to browse and gleam an understanding of the lives of the Chinese soldiers who were stationed in the formidable fort.

Ascending to the top of the fort presents visitors with a fantastic panoramic view of the fort itself as well as the outlying Taiwanese island of Jin Mei. This view is a refreshing breath of air and is another indicator of how wartime constructions can be beautiful once they have served their militaristic purposes.

Reflecting this trend, a few additions have also been made to the grounds of the fortress. HuliShan Fortress is also home to a cactus garden and several fountains. These were not originally a part of the fortress but were built at a later date and add a nice serene touch to this former military structure.

HuLi Shan Fortress with its rich past and impressive construction should definitely be a part of any visit to the city of Xiamen. Travel to the fortress and other nearby attractions is convenient when staying at Millennium Harbourview Hotel Xiamen due to its close proximity to this magnificent venue.