Entrance Fee: CNY 10 (CNY 5 for Students)Famed as 'North Dagu and South Humen', Dagukou Port is located at the confluence of the Haihe River and the Bohai Sea, about 60 km (37 miles) southeast Tianjin City. It was built to protect the capital city of Beijing from being invaded by the Japanese pirates in 1816 of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). Thereafter, it has been an important coastal defense for hundreds of years.
The earliest fort was just two round firm building built on the banks of the Haihe River. After the First Opium War, the Qing Government strengthened their defensive capabilities. Till 1858, a total of six forts were built, of which three forts named 'Wei', 'Zhen', and 'Hai' were built on the south bank and the others named 'Men', 'Gao' and 'Shitoufeng' were built on the north bank. The first five Chinese characters together connote that Dagukou Fort guards the sea gate awfully.
Between 1840 and 1900, the Eight-Power Allied Forces launched four wars in the Dagu area in order to gain economic and political control over China. The local Chinese armies and citizens fought against the invaders bravely, some of whom even sacrificed their lives. As a result, most of the forts were demolished and only the Wei Fort and the Hai Fort survived, and its role as a barrier was lost because of the Qing government's compromise and concessions.
Experienced many vicissitudes, only the three forts 'Wei', 'Zhen', and 'Hai' has existed and the others have been bygone. However, Dagukou port still lives every patriot's heart, since it is the historical testimony of China's fight against foreign invasion and the iron-clad proof of imperialist aggression against China.
More Tourist Attractions in Tianjin:
Ancient Cultural Street Dule Temple Haihe park Mt. Panshan
