Foreigners in Taiwan - 外國人在臺灣
  • Home 首頁
  • Blog 部落格
  • Taiwan FAQ 常見問題
  • Blog Index 部落格指南
  • Maps 地圖
  • About 關於我們
  • Contact Us 聯絡我們
  • Privacy 隱私
  • Home 首頁
  • Blog 部落格
  • Taiwan FAQ 常見問題
  • Blog Index 部落格指南
  • Maps 地圖
  • About 關於我們
  • Contact Us 聯絡我們
  • Privacy 隱私

Blog Posts

Hobe Fort 滬尾砲台

12/3/2019

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Hobe Fort (Aka Huwei Fort) is a Qing Dynasty era fortress in Tamsui, New Taipei that once has massive guns that protected the waterways nearby. The fort is included in a historical monument ticket that allows you to see other historical buildings in the area. It is also one of the best preserved historical fortresses in Taiwan. 

Background:
After the Sino French War in which the French threatened Tamsui and Keelung, the Qing Dynasty decided to fortify their coastline in Taiwan, building forts at Keelung, Tamsui, Penghu, Tainan, and what is now Kaohsiung.
Hobe fort in Tamsui was completed in 1888 and designed by Liu Mingchuan. 
The fort never saw any military action, which has helped preserve the fort. 
After the Japanese took over Taiwan, they took out the canons and turned the fort into a practice ground for troops. 
After the ROC took over Taiwan, they placed troops at the fort for a while, before turing the fort over to the central government, who have opened it to the public.
The walls of the fort are 4.2 meters thick and 7 meters high. There is also an outer earth wall. The fort only has one gate facing north.

Hours:
9:30 AM to 5 PM

Price: 
80 NT per person (includes entrance toFort San Domingo and the Little White House)

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The fort is near Heping Park off highway 2. Parking can be found in front of the fort.
By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus/taxi to the fort. 

Map:
Please see below:

​Our Journey:

I have been to Hobe Fort twice and was very impressed both times. 
Picture
You can buy a ticket to the fort here or use the pass you bought at Fort San Domingo or the little white house. 
Picture
View of the entrance to the fort. 
Picture
The fort is one of the best preserved Qing Dynasty forts in Taiwan, and has the original four letters above the gate "北門鎖鑰" meaning "The key to the north gate" This seems odd to me because the fort only has one gate and it points south. 
Picture
Map of Hobe Fort outlining the different parts of the structure:
  1. Earthen Wall, 6.5 meters high with defense capabilities.
  2. Moat, separating the sub-wall from the earthen wall.
  3. Barrack Gate, the only entrance or exit to the gate, with the words "The key to the North Gate."
  4. Sub-wall, the main wall of the fort built using iron cement, 4.2 meters thick and 7 meters high. These walls are easy to defend and hard to attack.
  5. Corridor, space in the sub-wall used for ammunition and barracks. All the corridors are interconnected.
  6. Soil Coating, the top of the barracks is covered in soft soil to protect against shells.
  7. Barbettes, these were large canons facing the sea that could rotate 360 degrees. 
  8. An open square that once had a military barracks used by commanding officers. After these buildings were torn down, it was used as a training ground. 
Picture
View of the wooden doors inside the gate. 
Picture
Another view closer inside. 
Picture
Steps up above the gate, that are off limits. 
Picture
Side rooms in the fort. 
Picture
"A brief history of Hobe Fort's Artillery"
"Founded in 1886, Hobe Fort was one of the ten forts built for establishing the defense system of Taiwan and Penghu by the governor, Liu Mingchuan, after the end of the Sino-French War. In 1996, the plan of the exhibition hall for its culture and history was completed and became the basis for the opening and exhibition. Along with the implementation of revised Cultural Heritage Preservation Act in 2005, its management and competent authority were re-adjusted and designated as the national monument bill now."
Picture
What the original canons in the fort may have looked like. 
Picture
"Historical Records of Artillery in Qing Dynasty"
"Regarding the artillery of Hobe Fort, it was recorded in Taiwan Armament Report submitted to the British Foreign Affair Office and the Naval commander Sir John Walsham Bart by Fred S.A. Bourne, Tamsui British consular officer in 1889, "Recently, Captain Balfour of HEROINE, commander Martin of REBEL, Lieutenant Commander Maxwell of DORBEETLE have supervised the establishment of the new fort at Tamsui Port (now known as Hobe Fort): one 12-inch, one 10-inch, and two 8-inch."
Picture
A cute Qing Dynasty soldier display.
Picture
Window to the outside. 
Picture
A hologram of one of the canons. 
Picture
View of the inner courtyard. 
Picture
A storage room. 
Picture
Iron rack used for art exhibitions. 
Picture
"Utilizing corridor space"
"In addition to the permanent display, there are also various exhibitions hosted in the corridors. The iron rack is used for putting up these exhibitions, they are not used to support the roof."
Picture
View of one of the turrets on the roof, which held one of the Barbette canons that could turn 360 degrees. 
Picture
View toward the entrance from the top turret. 
Picture
Soil was placed on the top of the fort intentionally to reduce the impact from shells. 
Picture
Another turret on the back side. 
Picture
Ventilation coming out of the roof around the fort. 
Picture
View of the center of the fort. A few buildings used to sit in the center. 
Picture
Another Barbette turret on the other side. 
Picture
The inner wall near the turret. 
Picture
Remains of another structure near the turret. 
Picture
Another view of the Barbette turret. 
Picture
Another turret on the edge of the fort. 
Picture
View of the wall near the entrance. 
Picture
Looking toward the center of the fort. 
Picture
Do not climb those stairs. 
Picture
Looking at Tamsui from the top of the entrance to the fort. 
Picture
Looking back from the entrance of the fort. 
Picture
The post where a Qing Dynasty Barbette canon once sat, from which it could turn in a circle. 
Picture
Old artillery storage spaces. 
Picture
Going back inside the fort. 
Picture
There are free tours of the fort three times a day. 
Picture
Another corridor in the fort. 
Picture
View outside with part of the wall of one of the old central buildings still intact. 
Picture
Some more displays about the history of Tamsui inside. 
Picture
A small window connecting rooms. Probably to pass on artillery. 
Picture
Model of the original fort in its glory. 
Picture
Model of Tamsui harbor back in the day. As you can see the land has since been excavated to make the river mouth wider, but also harder to defend. 
Picture
Another view of the central courtyard. 
Picture
Closer view of the last wall standing in the courtyard. 
Picture
Another storage room inside. 
Picture
View on the right side looking in. 
Picture
A nice restored wooden door and electric switch board for employee use. 
Picture
Some nice tables and an LCD display inside. 
Picture
The only physical canon on site. 
Picture
Exiting out of the fort. 
Picture
Nice lion doorknob, not sure if this is historical or not. 
Picture
There is also a footpath next to the fort where you can explore the earth embankments. 
Picture
View of the wall outside. 
Picture
Another view of the gate from the outside. 
Picture
Map of the area. 
Picture
Some artsy architecture near the parking lot. 
Picture
Right next to Hobe fort is a Confucius temple. 
Picture
It just goes to show there is so much to explore in Tamsui. Stay tuned for more of our blogs on the Tamsui area to come soon!

For our full guide on the best things to see and do in the Tamsui Area, click here. ​
Share
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

     Author 作家

    We are US Expats that have extensive experience living, working, and travelling in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. ​Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country.

    ​​我們是在台灣的外國人!我們透過額部落格想要幫助外國人了解台灣生活,旅遊,和商業的環境!我們不代表所有在台灣的外國人, 我們只是想要幫助世界各地的人了解台灣美好的一切! (美國人在管理)

    Archives 檔案

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Categories
    ​類目

    All
    2006120221
    Aboriginal Culture 原住民文化
    Alishan-384633732423665
    Alishan-384633732423665
    Amusement Parks 娛樂園
    Aquariums 海洋館
    Art 藝術
    Basic Info 基本資訊
    Beaches 海灘
    Blogroll 部落格名單
    Bridges 橋梁
    Buddhism 佛教
    Buddhism 佛教
    Business 商業
    Business 商業
    Camping 露營
    Car Driving Test 考汽車駕照
    Car Rental 租氣車
    Caves 山洞
    Changhua 彰化
    Chiayi 嘉義
    Children Activities 小孩活動
    Chinese Film 中文電影
    Chinese Language 中文
    Chinese Language 中文
    Chinese Literature 中文文學
    Chinese Literature 中文文學
    Chinese Pollution 中國污染
    City Parks 都市公園
    Click Bait 點擊誘餌
    Coal Mining 煤礦
    Confucius Temples 孔廟
    Cycling 騎腳踏車
    Cycling 騎腳踏車
    Daily Life 日常生活
    Daoism 道教
    Driving In Taiwan 開車
    Drone Flying 飛空拍機
    East Taiwan 東部
    Ershui 二水
    Events 活動
    Festivals 節日
    Fish Foot Massage 溫泉魚
    Floral Sea 花海
    Food
    Food 食物
    Forts 堡壘
    Fruit 水果
    Geography 地理
    Geography 地理
    Geology 地質
    Golf 高爾夫球
    Green Energy 綠色能源
    Growing Bananas 種香蕉日記
    Guest Blog Posts 客人部落格
    Hakka Culture 客家文化
    Hiking
    Hiking 爬山
    Historical Buildings 歷史建築
    Historical Buildings 歷史建築
    Hot Springs 溫泉
    Hot Springs 溫泉
    Hsinchu 新竹
    Hualien 花蓮
    Immigration/Visa 移民/簽證
    Japanese Era 日治時期
    Jiaoxi 礁溪
    Jiaoxi 礁溪
    Kaohsiung 高雄
    Keelung 基隆
    Kenting 墾丁
    Kinmen 金門
    Lakes And Reservoirs 湖及水庫
    Lighthouses 燈塔
    Longdong 龍洞
    Lukang 鹿港
    Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市
    Maolin 茂林
    Matsu Islands 馬祖列島
    Miaoli 苗栗
    Migrant Workers 外籍勞動
    Monkeys 猴子
    Monkeys 猴子
    Mountain Biking 越野
    Mountain Biking 越野
    Museums 博物館
    Nangang 南港
    Nantou 南投
    National Forest Recreation Areas 國家森林游樂區
    National Palace Museum 故宮
    National Palace Museum 故宮
    National Parks 國家公園
    Natural Scenery 自然風景
    New Taipei 新北市
    Night Market 夜市
    Northern Coast 北海岸
    Not Taiwan 台灣以外的地方
    Nuclear Power 核能
    Nuclear Power 核能
    Offroading 越野
    Old City Gates 古城門
    Old Streets 老街
    Old Trails 古道
    Orchid Island (Lanyu 蘭嶼)
    Outer Islands 外島
    Pathos And Logos 情與理
    Penghu Islands 澎湖群島
    Pingtung 屏東
    Pingxi Railway 平息火車綫
    Politics 政治
    Politics 政治
    Qing Dynasty Era 清朝時代
    Railways 鐵路
    Recreational Farms 休閑農場
    River Tracing 朔溪
    Rock Climbing 攀岩
    Sailing 帆船
    Scooter Driving Test 考機車駕照
    Scooter Rental 租機車
    Scooter Rental 租機車
    Seafood Markets 海鮮市場
    Shiding 石碇
    Shilin Night Market 士林夜市
    Shilin Night Market 士林夜市
    Shopping 購物
    Sicao Green Tunnel 四草綠色隧道
    Smokestacks 烟囪
    Snorkeling 浮潛
    Snorkeling 浮潛
    Starting A Taiwan Business 創業
    Starting A Taiwan Business 創業
    Sun Moon Lake 日月潭
    Sun Moon Lake 日月潭
    Surfing 3490928010
    Taichung 臺中
    Tainan 3327421335
    Tainan-3327421335
    Taipei 101 101
    Taipei 101 2148821271 101
    Taipei-101-2148821271-101
    Taipei 2148821271
    Taipei-2148821271
    Taipei Zoo 台北動物園
    Taipei Zoo 台北動物園
    Taipei 臺北
    Taipei 臺北
    Taitung 臺東
    Taiwanese Spouse 台灣配偶
    Taiwan FAQ 臺灣常見問題
    Taiwan History 台灣的歷史
    Taiwan History 台灣的歷史
    Taiwan's Economy 台灣經濟
    Taiwan's Economy 台灣經濟
    Taiwan Temples 臺灣的廟
    Tamsui 淡水
    Taoyuan 桃園
    Taroko Gorge 太魯閣
    Tax 稅
    Top 10 前十名
    Top 10 前十名
    Top 5 前5名
    Transportation 交通
    Tsai Yingwen 蔡英文
    Turtle Island 龜山島
    Turtle Island 龜山島
    Typhoons 颱風
    Ultimate Guide 極限指南
    Urbex 城市探險
    Waterfalls 瀑布
    Weather 天氣
    White Terror 白色恐怖
    Wildlife 野生動物
    Women In Chinese Society 女士們在中國社會
    Working In Taiwan 在台灣工作
    Working In Taiwan 在台灣工作
    Wulai Hot Springs 烏來溫泉
    Xiaoliuqiu 小琉球
    Xitou 溪頭
    Xitou 溪頭
    Xizhi 汐止
    Yangmingshan 陽明山
    Yilan 宜蘭
    Yunlin 雲林
    Yushan (Jade Mt.) 玉山
    Zhongtaishan 中台山
    Zoos 動物園

    RSS Feed



Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotels deals in Taiwan here.

Follow us on social media:


Follow @foreignersinTW