Sheliao East Fort is a Qing-era harbor defense ruin on the eastern side of Heping Island, Keelung, built alongside Ershawan Fort to guard the harbor entrance. Fortifications on the site date back to 1626 under Spanish rule, and the fort was substantially rebuilt and split into east and west batteries by the Japanese colonial government in 1907. The surviving remains include stone gun platforms, a cistern, a command post, and machine-gun bunkers, and the site is now within Heping Island Geopark, visitable on the same day as the geological landscape.
Fortifications on the Sheliao (present-day Heping Island) site date to 1626 under Spanish rule, and the location subsequently passed through Dutch and Koxinga-era control before Qing rule; in 1907 the Japanese colonial government substantially rebuilt the batteries and divided them into east and west forts, and today's remains include a cistern, command post, machine-gun bunkers, observation post, and munitions store.
What to See at Sheliao East Fort
Historical records from the Qing dynasty document the Sheliao batteries as part of the Keelung harbor defense line, forming a pincer arrangement at both sides of the harbor entrance alongside Ershawan Fort. The surviving stone masonry reflects the construction methods of Qing-era coastal fortifications. The ruins are slightly smaller in scale than Ershawan Fort but are well enough preserved to identify their basic layout. Since the site was incorporated into Heping Island Geopark, a single entry ticket covers both the fort ruins and the sea-eroded terrain.
The fort's location faces the sea to the east of Heping Island, with views looking out toward open water. The stone walls have been subject to years of sea wind erosion, and vegetation has taken root on parts of the surface — creating an image of historic ruins and natural environment layered together. Do not touch or climb the historic structures; follow the instructions of site management during your visit.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Timing
- Purchase your ticket at the Heping Island Geopark entrance to access the site. Buses run to Heping Island; check official park announcements for opening hours.
- Ticket prices and opening hours are set by Heping Island Geopark — check the official website before you go.
Nearby Connections
- The mushroom rocks and other sea-eroded landforms within Heping Island Geopark can be seen on the same day with a single ticket.
- Zhengbin Fishing Harbor's colorful houses and Keelung Lighthouse are close to Heping Island — a full Heping Island day trip is easy to arrange.
Source: compiled from public records and Heping Island Geopark public information. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sheliao East Fort built?
Fortifications on the site date to 1626 under Spanish rule, with the Japanese colonial government carrying out a major reconstruction in 1907 that split it into east and west batteries.
What remains can visitors see at Sheliao East Fort today?
Surviving structures include stone gun platforms, a cistern, a command post, machine-gun bunkers, an observation post, and a munitions store.
How do you plan a visit to Sheliao East Fort?
A ticket purchased at the Heping Island Geopark entrance covers the fort along with sea-eroded rock formations such as the mushroom rocks; check the park's official website for opening hours.
Sources
- 社寮東砲台｜基隆旅遊網 — 基隆市政府旅遊網官方頁面，砲台建置與現存設施描述
- 和平島地質公園官方網站 — 和平島歷史沿革與地質公園管理範圍