Two days ago, I stumbled across a mysterious pin on Pinterest, a short video that seemed to show a doorway hanging in midair. Intrigued, I decided to delve into it. Little did I know, this would lead me down a rabbit hole that has consumed my life for the past 48 hours.
Armed with very little information, I began a meticulous search for an elusive ancient fortress. Rumoured to be located somewhere in China, it had been referred to by various names such as ‘Longmen Fortress,’ ‘Wiezhaung Village Castle,’ and even a ‘Nephilim Hideout.’ However, my research revealed that while this fortress is indeed in Hejin City, Shanxi Province, it surprisingly does not have an official name, but for the purpose of this article, we will call it ‘Hejin City Fortress‘. It’s coordinates are 35°34’48″N 110°47’18″E
Hejin City Fortress
It was only when I stumbled upon this article that I was able to shed some light on this mystery. Below I will try and break that article down for you.
Situated atop a lofty loess slope, this mysterious fortress is cleverly concealed by deep gorges, rendering it almost invisible to the untrained eye. Even local residents have scant knowledge of its historical origins. It was only through the guidance of an 80-year-old local named Hou Jun’e that the significance and design of the fortress came to light. His familiarity with the area was key in uncovering the pathways leading to this historic site.
The Hejin City fortress is very hard to see from a distance, blending seamlessly with the surrounding terrain – making it the perfect place to hide. It is only upon closer inspection, led by Hou Jun’e, that one realizes it is, in fact, an ancient bastion, camouflaged by the elements over centuries. The approach to the Hejin City fortress is marked by natural obstacles and a steep trench, which historically could only be crossed with makeshift wooden bridges, indicating the fortress’s strategic use as a protective hideout.
Entering through a diminutive gate, visitors are met with an upward sloping ramp of loose earth, deliberately designed to be slippery and challenging to ascend, a clear defensive measure against intruders. Inside the Hejin City fortress, the land opens up, reminiscent of an ancient ark. The fortress once housed cave dwellings on its flanks, providing shelter for people and livestock during times of danger. These have since eroded, leaving behind only the plateau and its gate.
This structure served as a crucial refuge from threats like bandits and, in later years, Japanese forces. We know now from the local stories that this has been used for over 100 years, but as for how old it is and who built it, were still not sure! What we do know is that the design of the fortress, with its narrow passageways and single gate, was a testament to the resourcefulness of the local population who, without modern weapons, relied on the natural fortification of their environment for protection.
