Ershawan Battery (Heavenly Gate Fortress)

Built in 1840 during the Qing-British Opium War to prevent British invasion. After being damaged in the 1884 Sino-French War, Liu Mingchuan (Taiwan's first governor) rebuilt it. Due to its location on the mountain path in the Ershawan area, it is also known as the "Ershawan Battery". The Heavenly Gate Fortress was strategically designed to adapt to its terrain. Its two batteries, east and north, guarded the outer sea and the inner sea entrance respectively. They were built on higher coastal hills, while the lower, landward side served as the barracks area. Within the battery area, one can see large cannons, ammunition depots, etc. In the barracks area, several sections of walls remain, along with a camp gate inscribed with the four characters "海門天險" (Heavenly Gate Fortress). The route to the Heavenly Gate Fortress can be combined with a visit to Zhongzheng Park. After passing Zhongzheng Park, continue straight to reach a pavilion, opposite which a small path leads to the Heavenly Gate Fortress.