Situated at the coastal headland of Southwest Lantau, Fan Lau is called as such because it offers stunning vistas of the boundary between muddy waters coming from the Pearl River and the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean.  Since it overlooks channels at the mouth of the Pearl River, a fort was constructed here as early as in the Ming dynasty to defend against pirates.  As seen in the relic, the massive fort, measuring 46 metres by 21 metres, is built of granite and green bricks.  It had been in use until 1898, when the New Territories was conceded to the British government.