Taku Forts

Welcome to the mouth of the Hai River, where the historic Taku Forts once stood as the final line of defense for the Qing Dynasty's capital, Beijing. These fortifications, also known as the Dagu Forts, were the setting for some…

In June 1859, the British Admiral Sir James Hope arrived at the mouth of the Hai River with a clear mission: to clear the river of obstacles and escort the British and French ambassadors to Beijing. Hope, a veteran of limited…

During the chaotic retreat of 1859, a surprising moment of international solidarity occurred that would be remembered in naval lore for centuries. Josiah Tattnall, an American naval commander, was present at the scene on the…

One of the most vivid and harrowing aspects of the battles at Taku was the terrain itself. The shoreline around the forts was not solid ground but a treacherous expanse of thick, oozing mud that changed with the tides. …

The British response to the 1859 defeat was massive and swift. By 1860, a force of 11,000 British and 7,000 French troops, supported by a fleet of 200 ships, arrived under the command of General Sir James Hope Grant. …

The storming of the Taku Forts in 1860 was an incredibly 'decorated' battle, resulting in the awarding of seven Victoria Crosses, Britain's highest military honor. Among the recipients was a fifteen-year-old hospital apprentice…

Forty years after the Opium Wars, the Taku Forts once again became the epicenter of a global conflict during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. By mid-June, Allied forces from eight countries were being menaced by thousands of…

As we conclude our journey through the Taku Forts, we reflect on how these earthen walls shaped the modern world. The battles fought here led directly to the occupation of Beijing and the 'Unequal Treaties' that continue to…