Abstract: Based on modern high-definition aerial photographs, historical maps and records of Zhejiang coast defense construction and related local chronicles, this paper takes the coastal defense forts in Zhejiang coastal areas of the Ming Dynasty as the research object. It tries to introduce a comprehensive view of the unique geographical environment of Zhejiang coastal areas and the landscape related to the layout of coastal defense forts. Thus it draws up the features of the surface morphology, analyzing the factors affecting the location and inducing the basic elements of the city. It hopes to explore the general pattern and, with it, make type analysis to figure out possible variants. The study shows the coastal defense forts born in the rapid urban construction in early Ming Dynasty have distinct similarities, and highlight the wisdom of the ancients in city construction. The construction of these defense fort cities has laid the foundation for the development of coastal areas in later times.