aeeble

Qihou Battery, located atop the northernmost hill of Qijin, sits at a strategic location controlling the entrance to Kaohsiung Port. This site, a vital military stronghold due to its geographical significance, was fortified since the early Qing dynasty. Following the Mudan Incident of 1874, the Qing government, under enhanced coastal defense policies, established three new-style artillery emplacements at Qihou (middle elevation), Shaochuantou (low elevation), and Chisha (high elevation) to comprehensively safeguard the port. Among these, Qihou Battery is the largest and best-preserved, situated on the southern slope of Qihou Hill, facing the Qihou Lighthouse on the north side. Designed as a Sino-Western hybrid, the battery is constructed with red brickwork and features traditional motifs such as paired characters for joy ("囍") and bats symbolizing good fortune. The site is divided into a drill field, main artillery area, and command zone. The entrance bears the inscription "Commanding the Southern Skies" ("威震天南"), complementing the "Dominating the Northern Gate" ("雄鎮北門") at Shaochuantou. During the 1895 Sino-Japanese War, the battery suffered damage from Japanese naval bombardment, leaving visible historical marks to this day. The elevated position of the artillery emplacement provides both tactical advantages in potential energy and kinetic energy for firing and offers unparalleled scenery. Visitors to Qihou Battery can explore the layout of late Qing military architecture while enjoying the expansive views of the first harbor's breakwater extending into the open sea, the popular Qijin Beach, Kaohsiung city's skyline, and the unique sight of "grand vessels docking" in this port city.