Hulishan Battery(Huli Hill fort), located strategically on the beach behind Xiamen University, has always been considered the door to Xiamen. It’s the product of Westernization Movement of Qing Dynasty. Construction began in 1894 during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) and ended in 1896.

It is virtually impregnable, thanks to its construction of sand, clay, camphor tree juice, lime and glutinous rice (during a prolonged siege defenders could eat their fort!)Huli Hill Fort boasts The World of Exotic Stones, and an exhibition of ancient armaments. But its real claim to fame is the 60 ton German - made coastal defense gun installed by some big shot back in 1896.During the Opium Wars, China had over 100 cannons, but Huli Hill`s behemoth is the only well preserved coastal cannon left. It covers an area of more than 70,000 square meters (about 17 acres) and is composed of barracks, a tunnel, a magazine and other fortified buildings, all surrounded by a granite wall. The remaining cannon is more than 13 meters (about 42.7 feet) long and weighs 50 tons. With a range of 16,640 meters, It is the largest and oldest 19th century breechloader in existence.

Hulishan Battery was an important defensive factor during the war against Japanese aggression in 1900 and 1937. In the Rongguang Museum, tourists can see ancient firecrackers, guns, swords and unusual natural stones from around the world. Exhibits include the world's smallest cannon, which was made by the Portuguese in the 13th century. It has a length of 11 centimeters (about 4.33 inches) and a weight of 0.22 kilograms (about half a pound).