General Headquarters

Attractions & culture

The Nan'ao General Headquarters in Shantou (also known as the "Min-Yue Nan'ao General Headquarters" / Nan’ao General Headquarters) was built in the fourth year of the Wanli reign of the Ming dynasty (1576) under the supervision of Deputy General Yan Jifang, aiming to strengthen coastal defense, combat Japanese pirates and sea bandits, and ensure the safety of shipping routes. Nan'ao Island, located between eastern Guangdong and southern Fujian, served as a maritime hub closely linked to the defense of Taiwan and Penghu. The headquarters managed coastal defense affairs in eastern Guangdong, southern Fujian, and Taiwan, making it a key military command during the Ming and Qing dynasties. During the Ming and Qing periods, approximately 167–177 generals and deputy generals were stationed here successively. From the Kangxi reign onward, a rotation system for guarding Taiwan and Penghu was implemented, making it an important node in overall coastal defense. The original buildings suffered damage over time, with most collapsing after the 1918 earthquake. The current structures are later reconstructions imitating Ming and Qing styles, including the main hall, side wings, front hall, gate piers, bell and drum towers, and wok-shaped doors. Inside, the coastal defense history exhibition room displays materials, inscribed artifacts, and related historical relics from the Ming and Qing periods, such as the "Zheng Chenggong Recruiting Tree" and the "Troop Inspection Stone." Today, the Nan'ao General Headquarters has been transformed into a comprehensive scenic area integrating historical exhibitions, cultural education, tourism, and cross-strait exchanges. It includes the Coastal Defense History Museum and a patriotic education base, is one of the cross-strait exchange bases, and is listed as a Guangdong provincial cultural relic protection unit. The Nan'ao General Headquarters in Shantou is an important historical and cultural site on Nan'ao Island, once the core command center for coastal defense during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The building layout is rigorous, including the main hall, side wings, front hall, and auxiliary structures, all in the style of Qing dynasty imitation ancient architecture. Inside, a large collection of historical artifacts, inscriptions, and coastal defense materials vividly showcases the defense system and military activities of Nan'ao Island during the Ming and Qing periods. Visitors can explore the coastal defense history exhibition room to learn about coastal defense strategies, the historical deeds of Zheng Chenggong, and important relics such as the troop inspection stone. The headquarters also overlooks the Nan'ao coastline, offering beautiful scenery and an excellent spot for photographing historical architecture and seascapes. The site not only holds historical value but also serves as an important venue for cultural education and tourism.