Eternal Golden Castle | Tainan Attraction

In the second year of the Guangxu reign, the Qing court — aware of Taiwan's vulnerability at sea — commissioned Shen Baozhen to build this Western-style fort on a sandbar south of Anping. A moat surrounds the bastions, with gun emplacements at each of the four corners: this was Taiwan's first defensive installation built to Western modern military engineering standards. The cannons have long fallen silent, but the brick-and-stone layout remains clearly visible today.

What to See at Eternal Golden Castle

Eternal Golden Castle is formally known as Erkun Fort. Completed in the second year of the Guangxu reign (1876), it was planned and built by Shen Baozhen using Western fortification techniques. The floor plan follows a four-angled bastion design, with the moat encircling all four sides. The brick outer walls combined with earthworks reflect late-19th-century European fortress design concepts, making it one of the better-preserved examples of its type surviving in Taiwan.

The grounds are spacious, with the moat surface reflecting the silhouette of the walls. Replica cannons placed on the lawn inside the fort mark the original gun positions. The stone gate at the entrance is inscribed with 'Eternal Golden Castle' — calligraphy by Shen Baozhen himself. The overall preservation is good; the brick texture on all four walls is clearly defined, making it a worthwhile historical landmark to include on a visit to southern Tainan.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

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Walking Around the MoatWalking along the outer perimeter of the moat, you can observe the geometry of the four bastion corners from different angles, appreciating how Western fort design combined with Taiwanese brick craftsmanship.

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Noting the Stone Gate InscriptionThe four characters 'Eternal Golden Castle' on the entrance gate are written by Shen Baozhen himself — an important surviving calligraphic relic on-site, worth comparing with other Qing-dynasty stele styles.

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Observing the Bastion GeometryThe four-angled bastion design allowed defenders to attack enemies approaching the walls from the flanks. Standing on the walls and looking down at the ground plan is the best way to understand this logic.

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Best Light at DuskWhen the sun sets in the west, the brick wall textures stand out in sharp relief under the raking light, and the moat surface also catches reflections — one of the better lighting conditions of the day.

Practical Information

Getting There & Timing

Located on Guangzhou Road in Anping District, about 2 km from Anping Old Fort; recommended to connect the Anping District attractions by shared bicycle.
Check the Tainan City Bureau of Cultural Affairs website before you go to confirm opening hours. The grounds have no shade, so be mindful of sun exposure on summer afternoons.
Parking is limited on weekends; arriving by bicycle or bus is more convenient.

Nearby Connections

Cycling connects to Anping Old Fort and Anping Tree House, forming a cultural route through Anping District.
Anping Harbor Fish Market is nearby — you can sometimes catch fishing boats returning in the evening and observe the working harbor alongside.

Source: compiled from contextual facts; for administrative information, please consult official announcements from the Tainan City Bureau of Cultural Affairs. Photos pending replacement with Dio's actual shots.

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