Chongwu Ancient City: A Historical Fortress with Stone Carvings and Coastal Scenery

Chongwu Ancient City is located on the southeast coast of Hui’an County, bordering the Taiwan [...]

Chongwu Ancient City is located on the southeast coast of Hui’an County, bordering the Taiwan Strait. It was built in the 20th year of the Hongwu era (1387) by the Marquis of Jiangxia, Zhou Dexing, to defend against Japanese pirates. Today, only a section of the ancient city wall remains, and to enhance the scenic area’s appeal, the city has incorporated Hui’an’s specialty – stone carvings. Overall, there are three main attractions in Chongwu Ancient City: the ancient city wall, stone carvings, and the coastal rocks.

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The houses of Chongwu Ancient City are not made of red bricks but are constructed from large square stones, hence the nickname ‘Stone City’. Despite its age, the stone-built city walls remain intact. Inside the city walls, there are several villages, all with houses made of stone. Admission to the city walls is free, with charges only applying to the section from the city walls to the sea. The residential areas under these walls are home to some of the earliest residents of Chongwu, descendants of the anti-pirate army of that time.

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You can walk along the old city walls. Standing at the lighthouse, you can clearly see the outline of the ancient military strategic city walls, with a broad view of the entire sea and a glimpse of the gentle back of the sea goddess Mazu statue.

Stone carvings are ubiquitous here, and Hui’an is known for its women and stone carvings. Examples include warriors from Water Margin, animals like black and white cats, and characters from Journey to the West.

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Although there is no clear connection between the stone carvings and the ancient city, it is still enjoyable to take photos and appreciate the carvings. The most beautiful spots are likely along the coast, where there are rocks and numerous shells on the beach. Walking along the coast is pleasant, and you can stroll along the shoreline to the small beach in the middle. During low tide, you can catch small shrimp and crabs.

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There are also barbecue restaurants by the shore.

Souvenirs such as shadow carvings are available for purchase in the surrounding area, with machine-carved and hand-carved options at varying prices. Regarding accommodation, Chongwu Ancient City offers convenient options like Chongwu Hotel, Strait Hotel, and Xisha Bay Holiday Hotel. The first two are close to the scenic area and transportation hubs, while the latter is located right by the beach.

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For dining, Chongwu Ancient City is a mature tourist destination, so there is no shortage of hotels and food stalls. Additionally, fish rolls are a local specialty here, recommended for a try, with well-known shops such as Ruifang Fish Rolls and Manling Fish Rolls.

Opening hours: December 16th to May 31st, 07:30-18:00.

Preferential policies: Children: Free for those 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.

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2 meters (inclusive); half price for those between 6 and 18 years old (inclusive). Elderly: Free for those 65 years old (exclusive) and above with valid ID or preferential certificate; half price for those between 60 and 65 years old (inclusive) with ID. Students: Half price for full-time undergraduates and below with student ID. Disabled: Free with valid ID. Military: Free for active and retired military personnel with valid ID.

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Fire and Rescue: Free for fire and rescue personnel (including active, retired, disabled, and fire rescue academy students) with relevant documents. Military dependents: Free for martyrs’ dependents, dependents of military personnel who died in the line of duty, dependents of deceased military personnel, and families of active military personnel with valid documents.

Additional notes: The above information is for reference only; please check the specific information disclosed by the scenic area on the day of your visit.

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