Dapeng Fortress Travel Guide: A Poetic and Romantic Ancient Town in Shenzhen

Today, I’m taking you to one of Shenzhen’s most famous historical attractions: Dapeng Fortress (大鹏所城).

As one of the few well-preserved historical sites in Shenzhen, Dapeng Fortress attracts many visitors who come to explore its history and unique atmosphere.

I first discovered this place through a company team-building trip. The first time I walked through the fortress, I was honestly amazed. The winding lanes, quiet surroundings, and old buildings made me feel as if I had stepped back in time.

During that trip, we also visited a mansion that had been rented by a Chinese-Korean family and transformed into a private restaurant. They served us a delicious Cantonese meal in this historic setting. Unfortunately, they have since left China.

Today, I’m lucky enough to be back here once again, this time to take a closer look and enjoy the unique sense of history that makes Dapeng Fortress so special.

📍 Practical Information

• Name of the Place: Dapeng Fortress (大鹏所城)

• Location: No. 1-1, Laifuyuan 1st Lane, Pengcheng Community, Dapeng Subdistrict, Dapeng New District, Shenzhen

• Driving Time: About 1.5 hours from central Shenzhen by car

• Opening Hours: Open all day

• Admission: Free

📖 About Dapeng Fortress

Dapeng Fortress has a history of over 600 years, originally built during the Ming Dynasty as a coastal defense stronghold❗️
It’s also one of the best‑preserved Ming and Qing coastal fortresses in China.

Here I will site a paragraph of introduction from the Shenzhen government:

Located in the southeast of Shenzhen, Dapeng New District is a peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides. The remains found in Xiantouling Village prove Shenzhen's earliest human activities took place 6,000 to 7,000 years ago. Dapeng Fortress is the most complete military fortress of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Southeast China. The fortress has a very important meaning to Shenzhen in that the city is named after it — the nickname of Shenzhen is “Pengcheng” (“the City of Roc”). The Roc is a giant mythical bird.

💕 My Experience

☀️ I highly recommend visiting on a sunny day. Otherwise, the whole place can look a little gloomy and dull.

🚪 The moment you enter, you’ll see the ancient gate tower, which feels solemn and full of character. Walking along the winding streets and wandering between the old buildings is peaceful and relaxing. The colourful decorations and traditional architecture also make the whole area incredibly photogenic.

🌲 The area has a nice mix of history, local life, and small businesses. There’s even a Dapeng Fortress Museum, which is worth checking out if you’re interested in learning more about the area’s history.

You’ll also find snack shops, jewellery stores 💍, and several high-end private restaurants tucked inside old residences. 🍴

（There’s even a goose burger shop where you can go upstairs and get a great view of the ancient alleyways.）

Many of the shops decorate their storefronts with flowers and plants 🌹, giving the old streets a charming and distinctive character.

🏪 Special shout‑out to the 7‑Eleven here — it blends perfectly with the ancient architecture without disrupting the historical look.

As you walk further into the fortress, you’ll also come across many local homes. This is one of the things I really like about Dapeng Fortress. It doesn’t feel like a completely preserved tourist attraction with no connection to everyday life. People still live here, giving the area a strong sense of local life.

There are also several beautifully decorated guesthouses 🏨, so you can even stay overnight and experience the old town at a slower pace.

🌊 Nearby Attractions

Right next to the fortress is the famous Jiaochangwei Beach, which is perfect for a relaxing walk by the sea. 😄

You can easily combine Dapeng Fortress with Jiaochangwei Beach for a full-day trip, especially if you want to take things slowly rather than rushing from one attraction to another.

📚 Overall Experience

Overall, I really enjoy the atmosphere of Dapeng Fortress. You can take your time wandering through the old streets, looking at the architecture, visiting the small shops, and simply enjoying the slower pace.

Compared with Gankeng Ancient Town, I personally find Dapeng Fortress less commercialized. It feels more like a living historic neighbourhood, which makes it easier to appreciate the traditional architecture, local life, and sense of history.

It’s quite a long journey from central Shenzhen, but if you have a free weekend and want to get away from the busy city for a day, Dapeng Fortress is definitely worth considering. ❗️

At the end, I wouldn’t recommend having a full meal inside the scenic area, as the restaurants here don’t seem to have particularly good reviews. You can grab a small drink or a light snack while you’re exploring, but most of the snacks are pretty ordinary and nothing particularly special.

So, I’d say it’s better to come here mainly for the historic atmosphere and a relaxing stroll, rather than for the food.

🧑‍⚖️ Final verdict:

Historical Atmosphere ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Environment ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Photo Spots ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Accessibility ⭐⭐⭐

Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐

（First published: May 7th, 2026; Updated: September 6th, 2026）