Christine Fan, G8, RDF International School

A frontier fishing town four decades ago, Shenzhen has transformed into a modern metropolis. This young city may not have boasted a long history, but places in the city do have long stories. Dapeng Fortress is a good example.

Last week, I went to the Dapeng Fortress and learned many things that I never knew before.

First built in 1394 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Dapeng Fortress was strategically important in coastal defense in both the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Now it is a time-honored beautiful place. Shenzhen’s nickname “pengcheng,” meaning “city of roc,” is derived from the name of this place, as “dapeng” means “giant roc.”

Historical buildings such as its tower gate, warehouse and the mansions of General Liu Qilong and other military officials remain intact to this day despite long periods of warfare. I also visited the Dapeng Fortress Museum, which opened to the public in 1996. In this museum, I saw replicas of boats and cannonballs from the Ming and Qing dynasties, which are exquisite and splendid. I also saw some cultural relics, such as traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy. In this modern and spacious building, I learned about such historical events as the Battle of Kowloon and the story of the legendary anti-Japanese invasion hero Liu Heizai.

Outside the museum, there are many ancient residential buildings along narrow crisscrossing alleys. Visitors may get lost here if they are not careful enough. There are also many snack stalls along the street selling delicious foods, such as Wuhan-style hot dry noodles with sesame paste, lamb kebabs, and ice cream. These snacks tasted good, and were totally affordable.

I not only learned about the history of Dapeng Fortress, but also experienced the local culture and delicacies. With wonderful memories of this tour, I am looking forward to similar study tours in the future.