The fort's construction bricks were largely sourced from the demolished walls of the 17th-century Dutch-built Fort Zeelandia.
It was the first fort in Taiwan equipped with modern, British-made Armstrong cannons.
The fort is designed as a square earthwork to better absorb the impact of enemy cannon fire compared to traditional stone walls.
A deep moat surrounds the entire fortress, once used as a primary defensive perimeter against invaders.
The site was renamed the 'Eternal Golden Castle' to represent the permanence of the Qing Dynasty's defense of Taiwan.
During the Japanese colonial period, most of the original cannons were sold as scrap metal, necessitating the later installation of replicas.
The site is also known as the 'Er-kun-shen Battery' due to its location on the historical Erkunshan sandbar.
The Eternal Golden Castle, also known as the Anping Erkunshan Fort, was completed in 1876 under the direction of Shen Baozhen to defend Taiwan against Japanese maritime threats. It is Taiwan's first Western-style fort built to house modern Armstrong cannons. The site features a square, brick-walled redoubt surrounded by a defensive moat and an earthen rampart planted with trees. Visitors can observe replicas of the original cannons mounted on the ramparts and explore the interior tunnels. The architecture utilizes bricks salvaged from the ruins of the earlier Fort Zeelandia. It served as a strategic military base during the Qing Dynasty and the subsequent Japanese colonial period. The fort remains a significant example of 19th-century coastal defense engineering in East Asia. The grounds are currently managed as a historical park open to the public for walking tours.
The red brick gate entrance, which features a plaque inscribed with calligraphy by Shen Baozhen.
Bring a hat and sunscreen as there is very little shade while walking along the elevated cannon ramparts.
Rent a bicycle nearby to combine a visit to the fort with a trip to the neighboring Anping Old Street and mangroves.
Wear comfortable walking shoes to navigate the gravel paths and tunnel areas.
Do not mistake the fort for a beach destination; while near the coast, swimming is not permitted and there is no direct beach access from the site.
Do not climb on or sit upon the historical cannon replicas.
