Dapeng Fortress was built in 1394 during the Ming Dynasty in what is now Dapeng New District, Longgang District, as a coastal military stronghold defending the region against raids by Japanese pirates known as "wokou." The fortress's stone walls and old gates still stand today, alongside traditional lanes and the houses of former officers and military families who lived within its walls over the centuries, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into coastal life during the Ming era. Local accounts say the name "Hong Kong" is historically linked to the Dapeng dialect once spoken by soldiers stationed in what is now the Hong Kong area — a popular local story that adds an extra layer of history to a visit to the fortress.