Fodor's Expert Review Hulishan Cannon Fort

A symbol of China’s westernization in the 19th and 20th centuries, Hulishan Cannon Fort was built with help from Germany. When constructed in 1894, the fort was considered one of China’s most technologically advanced fortresses and served as the central command of the coast. It also played a major part in the defense against the Japanese in 1900 and 1937, thanks, in part, to two massive, 19th-century, German Krupp cannons. Today, the fortress retains its east-meets-west architectural style, with beautiful views of the coast, a castle, and one of the famed cannons. Regular performances by horseback riders dressed in old-fashioned military attire help bring history to life here.