West Yunnan Anti-Japanese War Memorial Monument in Longyang District, Baoshan

Chinese Name:保山滇西抗日阵亡将士纪念碑
English Name: West Yunnan Anti-Japanese War Memorial Monument in Longyang District, Baoshan

The West Yunnan Anti-Japanese War Memorial Monument (保山滇西抗日阵亡将士纪念碑) is located in the southwest of Yiluochi (易罗池), Longyang District (隆阳区), Baoshan (保山市), Yunnan Province (云南省). Established in 1947, it was jointly built by He Shaozhou (何绍周), the commander of the Yunnan Garrison, and Li Mi (李弥), the general of the 8th Army of the National Revolutionary Army, to commemorate the soldiers who died during the Anti-Japanese War in West Yunnan. In 1988, it was officially designated as a cultural heritage protection unit by Baoshan City. The monument is made of blue stone and stands 1.5 meters tall and 0.8 meters wide. The inscription includes lines such as "Island invaders poisoned, and the pain reached West Yunnan" and records the relocation of the remains of soldiers who died in the Songshan Battle (松山战役).

Monument Features

Location

• Situated in the southwest of Yiluochi (易罗池), Longyang District, Baoshan, Yunnan Province.

• Approximately 3 km from the city center, offering convenient access for visitors.

Physical Structure

• The monument is made of blue stone, with the current remaining part standing at 1.5 meters in height and 0.8 meters in width.

• The pedestal of the monument is carved with cloud patterns, typical of the West Yunnan style of the Republic of China period.

Historical Context and Establishment

Construction Date

• The monument was erected in 1947, led by He Shaozhou (何绍周), the commander of the Yunnan Garrison, and Li Mi (李弥), the general of the 8th Army of the National Revolutionary Army.

• It commemorates the relocation of the remains of soldiers who died in the Songshan Battle (松山战役) during the Anti-Japanese War in West Yunnan.

Historical Significance

• The monument records the Songshan Battle (松山战役) of 1944, a crucial battle in the West Yunnan Anti-Japanese War, where the Chinese Expeditionary Force (中国远征军), led by the 8th Army, fought fiercely for two months before successfully capturing the Japanese positions.

• The monument is one of the few official memorials that document the Nationalist Army's efforts during the war in West Yunnan.

Inscription and Preservation Status

Inscriptions

The inscriptions on the monument consist of five-character and seven-character poems:

• The five-character poem expresses the sorrow and condemnation of the Japanese invasion: "Island invaders poisoned, and the pain reached West Yunnan" (岛寇荼毒，痛及滇西).

• The seven-character poem describes the battle and the sacrifice of the soldiers: "Blood stained Songshan, their spirits resolute; bones buried in the marshes, the ghosts and gods tremble" (血染松山魂魄毅，骨埋瘴地鬼神惊).

Preservation Efforts

• In 1988, the Baoshan Municipal People's Government designated the monument as a city-level cultural heritage protection unit.

• The surface of the monument has experienced weathering, and some characters are now unclear. Ongoing maintenance is carried out by local heritage authorities to preserve the inscription and the structure.

Comparison with Other Memorials

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

• Open year-round (recommended to visit during the day).

Best Time to Visit

• Morning hours from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM are ideal for clear visibility of the inscriptions.

Nearby Attractions

• The West Yunnan Anti-Japanese War Memorial Museum (滇西抗战纪念馆) and Guoshang Tombyard (国殇墓园) in Tengchong can be visited together with the memorial for a deeper understanding of the region’s wartime history.

The West Yunnan Anti-Japanese War Memorial Monument is a significant historical landmark commemorating the sacrifices made by soldiers during the Anti-Japanese War in West Yunnan. It offers visitors a chance to reflect on the bravery and resilience of the soldiers who fought in the Songshan Battle. The monument’s historical value, artistic design, and ongoing preservation efforts make it an important site for anyone interested in China's wartime history and cultural heritage.