Maojing Fortress is situated in Gaizhu Village at an altitude of 700 metres, where the village has a population of 2,400. Tucked deep in the mountains, the fortress was built along the hillside, occupying a commanding height. Featuring tall steps, elevated terraces and steep vertical drops, it ranks among the most exquisite earthen fortresses in Youxi County. Owing to its striking resemblance to the Potala Palace in Xizang, it is known as Fujian’s “Little Potala Palace”.

The construction of Maojing Fortress began in the 8th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1882 AD), making it 133 years old. The original owner was a renowned local physician who ran a medicinal herb business. He levelled the steep hillside to build the stronghold at a cost of 40,000 silver dollars. After three years of construction, the family moved in, and more than ten years of continuous expansion followed to reach the present scale.

The fortress boasts a unique architectural style that integrates elements of Fujian earthen forts, Hakka enclosed courtyard houses and local vernacular dwellings. It has a well-planned layout with an intricate network of crisscrossing passageways. Facing southwest from the northeast, the rectangular fortress stretches 105 metres wide and 60 metres deep, covering roughly 6,300 square metres. Along the central axis from southwest to northeast stand the front hall, courtyard, side chambers and main hall, flanked by three auxiliary wing buildings on each side.

The wooden and stone carvings inside are primitive yet superbly crafted with rich themes: stories from the Three Kingdoms, warriors practising martial arts, deer and bamboo symbolizing longevity, phoenixes amid peonies and other auspicious patterns with profound implied meanings.

In 2013, Maojing Fortress was designated a Cultural Relic Protected at the Provincial Level in Fujian Province, included in the eighth batch of the list.