Nanyang Overseas Chinese Jigong Anti-Japanese Monument in Kunming

OVERVIEW｜A Monument Honoring 3,200 Brave Souls ??✨

Between 1939 and 1942, Japan had blockaded all of China’s coastal ports, making the Sino-Burma Road (滇缅公路) the only international lifeline for supplies.

At the call of patriot Chen Jiageng (陈嘉庚), over 3,200 Nanyang Overseas Chinese drivers and mechanics (南侨机工) gave up comfortable lives abroad to return home. They served as drivers and repairers on the “Death Road,” transporting 450,000 tons of ammunition.

Tragically, on average, one worker died every kilometer — over 1,800 young heroes rest forever on Yunnan’s western frontier.

To commemorate this heroic chapter, China built three national monuments. This guide focuses on the most complete and central one — the Dehong Wanting Monument (德宏畹町纪念碑), taking you through the legacy of these brave “red-hearted sons.”

LOCATION｜Three Monuments, One Map to Rule Them All ?️

1️⃣ Kunming Xishan Nanyang Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Memorial (昆明西山·南洋华侨机工抗日纪念碑) (1989)

• Location: Xishan Forest Park (西山森林公园), Kunming

• Distance: 15 km from downtown, reachable by Bus No. 6/94

2️⃣ Dehong Wanting Nanyang Overseas Chinese Returnees Anti-Japanese Monument (德宏畹町·南洋华侨机工回国抗日纪念碑) ★ Main Focus

• Location: Benglongshan Forest Park (崩龙山森林公园), Wanting Town (畹町镇), Ruili City (瑞丽市), Dehong Prefecture (德宏州)

• Distance: 28 km from Ruili City, 800 m from Wanting border checkpoint

3️⃣ Guangdong Yishanting Monument in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (马来西亚吉隆坡·广东义山亭纪念碑) (1947)

• The first overseas monument, built by overseas Chinese, now part of Malaysia-China friendship tour stops

ATTRACTIONS｜All About the Wanting Monument (畹町纪念碑) ?️

• Monument height: 16 m, topped with 4 golden bands symbolizing China’s “400 million compatriots”

• Base: 3-tiered black granite, representing the “September 3rd Victory Day”

• Front relief: Nanyang drivers navigating Dodge trucks through gunfire

• Left side “Wall of Names” (英名录墙): The first full list of 3,200 workers engraved in Chinese

• Right side relief corridor: 20 bronze sculptures telling stories of “Farewell to Nanyang → Transporting on the Death Road → Bloodshed on the journey”

• Monument caretaker Ye Xiaodong (叶晓东): Descendant of a driver, has faithfully cleaned and guided visitors daily for 20 years

OPENING & TICKETS ?

• Entry: Free (Benglongshan Forest Park ticket ¥10; free for children under 1.2 m and seniors 70+)

• Hours: 08:30–18:00 (last entry 17:30)

• Guides:

  • Official audio guide ¥10/device

  • On-site explanation by Ye Xiaodong (donation appreciated)

TRANSPORT｜Getting to Wanting Monument ?

SIDE TRIPS｜Within 30 Minutes Walk ?‍♀️

1️⃣ Wanting Bridge (畹町桥): Strategic chokepoint on the Sino-Burma Road — step across into Myanmar!
2️⃣ Nanyang Overseas Chinese Drivers Memorial Hall (南洋华侨机工纪念馆): Old photos, original Dodge truck, bomb fragments
3️⃣ Chinese Expeditionary Force Anti-Japanese Memorial Hall (中国远征军抗战纪念馆): Adjacent, included in one ticket
4️⃣ World Coin Museum & World Stamp Museum (世界钱币馆/世界邮票馆): Border Culture Park, with over 40,000 collections

EVENTS｜Annual Commemorations ?

• September 3: Victory Day ceremonies with official wreath laying and descendants singing “Farewell to Nanyang”

• December 11: Monument anniversary — public memorials and peace dove release in Dehong Prefecture

• Qingming & Zhongyuan Festivals: Overseas Chinese groups return thousands of miles to Wanting for ancestral rites

TRAVEL TIPS｜Handy Info & Etiquette ?

• Clothing: Dehong has tropical monsoon climate — sun protection & rain gear for summer; light jackets in winter

• Photography: Monument faces due west — best silhouette shots at sunset 5–6 PM

• Respect: Monument and wall of names are sacred; no climbing, graffiti, or loud noise allowed

• Flower offerings: Yellow chrysanthemums sold onsite (¥5/bunch) or bring your own

• Connectivity: 4G available; supports mobile payments; drone flights require prior approval from Wanting Border Police

ACCOMMODATION｜Stay Near the Border ?️

CALL TO ACTION｜Honor the Heroes Along Highway 320 ?❤️

As you speed down the smooth National Highway 320 today,
remember the 3,200 Nanyang youths who paved this unsinkable supply line with steering wheels and their lives.

Save this guide and share it with those who want to pay tribute to the heroes together —
In 2025, we’ll meet at Benglongshan, Wanting Town (畹町崩龙山), to salute their noble deeds!