Dagukou Fort
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.
Entrance Fee: CNY 10 (CNY 5 for Students)
Opening Hours: 08:00 - 17:00
Transportation: Take Bus No. 612 or 613 in Tianjin to Tanggu, and then transfer to Bus No. 110 or 936 and get off at Dagukou.
Dule Temple
The finest wooden marvels of ancient China, Dule Temple is located inside the west gate of Ji County. Since its construction in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), it has experienced many vicissitudes, from mild tremors by the wars to devastating seismic wave of the Tangshan Earthquake in 1976. It's so amazing and mystifying that this temple is still essentially safe and sound. It was praised as the holy land the by Liang Sicheng.
Being as one of the existed three Liao dynastic temples in China, Dule Temple's main gate and its Goddess of Mercy Hall are both architectures of the Liao Dynasty (916 - 1125). There are obvious rising arches and side foots on the gate. Walk through the gate and come to the Kwan-yin Hall where houses a 16-meter (53 fee) high clay statue of Kwan-yin upholding 10 small Buddhas. Flanking the statue you will observe fine vibrant murals, taking you back to the glorious times of the ancient China. What's more be ready to encounter the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) guardians, with three heads and six arms and quite an intimidating appearance.
North of the Kwan-yin Hall stands the Pavilion of Wei Tuo who is the Escort God of the Buddhism. There are also Bao'en Yuan and Xanadu of Emperor Qianlong in the Dule Temple. Bao'en Yuan honors the famous Four Mad Monks in Chinese history, namely, Hanshan, Puhua, Fengbo and Daoqi.
In addition, there are lots of handwritings of ancient emperors, officials and celebrities, including Yan Song, Li Bai, Emperor Xianfeng and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty.
Entrance Fee:
CNY 37 for Dule Temple; CNY 5 for Baita Temple
CNY 40 for the two temples;
CNY 10 for Guanyin Pavilion Ascending
Transportation:
A. There are buses from Tianjin Hebei Long-distance Bus Station every 10 minutes; it takes 2 to 2.5 hours and cost CNY 25;
B. Visitors from Beijing can take the coaches to Tianjin Ji County from Beijing Sihui Long-distance Bus Station; it takes about 1.5 hours and costs CNY 19.
More Tourist Attractions in Tianjin:
Ancient Cultural Street Haihe park Mt. Panshan
