Hulishan Fortress, Xiamen. A Calm Historical Stop by the Sea

If you are visiting Xiamen and want one historical stop that is easy to understand and not too time consuming, Hulishan Fortress is a solid choice. It is calm, compact, and very focused on one thing: Coastal defense.

What Hulishan Fortress actually is

Hulishan Fortress, or 胡里山炮台, sits on a hill at the southern edge of Xiamen Island, facing the sea. It was built in 1894 during the late Qing Dynasty to protect the coastline from foreign navies.

This is not a palace or a temple. It is a military site. Thick stone walls, tunnels, artillery platforms, and lookout points. Everything here has a practical purpose, and that makes it easy to follow even if you are not deep into Chinese history.

The cannons are the main reason to come

The highlight is the cannons. Especially the massive German-made Krupp cannon. It is huge, well preserved, and honestly a bit surprising to see in China. Its range was around 16 km, which makes the fortress location make a lot of sense once you see the coastline.

There are more than 50 cannons from the Ming and Qing dynasties around the site. You can walk right up to most of them.

If you like military history even a little, this part delivers.

Views over the sea and nearby islands

From the upper parts of the fortress you get open views over the water and toward Dadan and Erdan islands. It is a good place to slow down a bit, especially if you have been in busy parts of Xiamen all day.

Small performances and museums.

There is a short military drill performance twice a day with actors in historical uniforms. It lasts about 15 minutes. I watched a few minutes and moved on. Nice if you happen to be there at the right time, but not something I would plan around.

The on-site museum shows smaller weapons and odd historical items. It is fine, but not essential. If you are short on time, focus on the fortress and cannons instead.

How much time you actually need

One to two hours is enough. I would not stretch it longer unless you are very into military history or photography.

This makes Hulishan Fortress easy to combine with other parts of Xiamen in the same day.

Practical details you will want to know

Location: 2 Zengcuo’an Road, Siming District 思明区曾厝垵路2号
Opening hours: roughly 7:30am to 6pm. Slightly shorter in winter
Ticket price: 25 RMB
Getting there: several city buses stop nearby. Didi also works fine

Summer can be hot and humid. There is not much shade on the upper parts, so bring water.

Is Hulishan Fortress worth it?

Yes, if you want a simple, well-kept historical site with clear purpose and good views. No, if you are looking for something interactive or emotional.

It is calm, grounded, and easy to understand. I left feeling like I actually learned something, which is not always the case with historical attractions.

If you have half a day in Xiamen and want one cultural stop that does not feel overwhelming, this is a good pick.