Plan your Chongqing tour? Chongqing was the Wartime Capital of China during the anti-Japanese war (World War II). No matter you are a history buff or not, it is an interesting experience to have a short trip to the former residence of General Joseph Warren Stilwell (aka Flying Tiger Museum in Chongqing).
A part of the former residence of General Joseph Warren Stilwell has turned into the Flying Tigers Museum in Chongqing.
General Joseph Warren Stilwell former Residence
The entrance to the compound of the former namesake residence converted General Joseph Warren Stilwell Museum.
General Joseph W Stilwell contributed a lot to China’s successful flight against the Japanese aggression.
On October 19, 1944, Stilwell was recalled from his command by President Franklin D. Roosevelt partly due to the power struggle over the China Theater that appeared among Stilwell, Claire Lee Chennault , and Chiang Kai-Shek. Especially his blunt confrontation with Chiang finally led to Chiang’s determination to have Stilwell recalled to the United States.
A bust of General Joseph on the compound along the Yangtze River.
General Joseph Warren Stilwell served as Chief of Staff in the China-Burma-India Theater as well as the Chief of Staff to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek in 1942 during the Second World War.
A huge stone opened book carved with words both in Chinese and English meaning:
To the name of the people of the United States of America
I present this scroll to the City of Chungking (Chongqing)
As a symbol of our admiration for its brave men, women and children. Under blasts from the terror from the air, even in the days before the world at large had known this terror, Chungking and its people held out firm and unconquered.
They proved gloriously that terrorism cannot destroy the spirit of a people determined to be free. Their fidelity to the cause of freedom will inspire the hearts of all generations.
Franklin D Roosevelt
May 17th, 1944
In the compound, I also noticed the inscriptions carved on a square stone column in English and Chinese:
” With the guns silent and the smoke faded, it is the historical friendship and our memory that will last forever“.
General Joseph Warren Stilwell’s former residence in Chongqing has now been converted to the General Joseph W. Stilwell Museum in his honor. The museum began to be opened to the public in 1991.
Stilwell died of stomach cancer on October 12, 1946. His ashes were scattered on the Pacific Ocean. A cenotaph was placed at the West Point Cemetery.
Flying Tigers Museum in Chongqing
A part of the former residence of General Joseph Warren Stilwell has been turned into the Flying Tigers Museum in Chongqing.
The Flying Tigers fought against the much stronger Japanese Air Force during the WW II. The Flying Tigers are credited with destroying as many as 497 Japanese planes at a cost of only 73 of their own.
The entrance to the Flying Tiger Museum housed in the former residence of General Joseph Warren Stilwell now has been converted to a museum of the namesake.
Flying Tigers was the nickname of the first American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Chinese Air Force in 1941–1942, commanded by Claire Lee Chennault.
Equally famous is their brilliant and controversial commander, Claire L. Chennault, whose genius for leadership in the face of overwhelming odds made him a hero in the United States as well as in China.
Chennault was a unique individual who could inspire great accomplishments from all those who served under him.
In creating his legendary group of airmen-composed of former U.S. Navy, Marine and Army Air Corps pilots who quietly entered China posing as artists and missionaries-Chennault established his own version of an ideal mercenary band. (from Hinstrynet)
For more information on General Chennaul, check out Chennault Aviation and Military Museum.
For more information on Flying Tigers, please check out the Flying Tigers’ official website .
Open Hours:
Tue to Sun ( Monday closed)
9:00 – 17:00 ( Ticketing till 16:30)
The address for General Joseph Warren Stilwell Museum:
English: No.63, Jialing Xinlu, Yuzhong District, Chongqing.
Chinese: 重庆渝中区嘉陵新路63号
Tel: (023)63872794, 63609515
A letter from our dear reader Suan:
My father was a Radio Technician at Flying Tiger airbases in Kunming, Guiyang and Chongqing. He served under Chennault’s U.S. 14th Air Force 14th Air Services. He flew over the Hump in January 1944. I’m disappointed there is no pictures or information on the thousands of Chinese Americans who served under Chennault in the CBI theatre between 1942-1945. The 14th Air Force 14th Air Services group contributed to the Flying Tiger Memorial Gate in Taishan, Guangdong, China. The gate is dedicated to all Chinese Americans who served in WWII in the CBI theatre between 1942-1945.
Add On:
American Volunteer Group (AVG) Flying Tigers
China Memorials (the Flying Tiger Memorial Gate in Taishan, Guangdong, China and more)
Chennault Museum
Flying Tigers Historical Organization
Tip: Hassle-free Chongqing Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for guided tours to Chongqing:
Chongqing Tour
Chongqing 3 Day Classic Tour
Chongqing Car Rental
Chongqing One Day Highlight Tour
Chongqing Dazu Grottoes Day Tour
Chongqing Yangtze River Yichang Classic 4 Day Tour
Further Readings
Top 10 Attractions in Chongqing
Best Time to Visit Chongqing
Ciqikou Old Town
Flying Tigers Museum
Yangtze River Cruise Daily Schedule – Victoria Cruises
Zhazidong prison, the site of Zhazidong Prison
Three Gorges Museum
Chongqing People’ Hall
Any questions, just drop a line.
Where can we get a copy of the video of the flying Tigers flying the hump? The one shown at the museum.
Hello Jim fisher,
Sorry, at the moment, we have no idea where the copy of the video comes from. We’ll research, and will advise you if we get to know.
I will be in Chongqing Sept 5,6,7. And would like to visit the Flying Tigers museum. Could you provide me more information. I will be at the Sofitel Forebase hotel and need to know how far the museum is from the hotel.
Thank you
Hi Mark,
Actually the small Flying Tigers Museum is located inside the General Joseph Warren Stilwell Museum.
The address for General Joseph Warren Stilwell Museum:
English: No.63, Jialing Xinlu, Yuzhong District, Chongqing.
Chinese: 重庆渝中区嘉陵新路63号
Tel: (023)63872794
The museum is located by Jialing River, about 10 km to the northeast of your hotel. Taxi ride: 20 minutes, 25 yuan.
Dear Daniel– My wife and I visited the FTM some years ago. I am a big fan of the Tigers. We bought a couple of t shirts. How can I get some more sent to me here in Pennsylvania USA? Thanks. Jack.
Hi Jack,
Where did you buy the T shirts? In the Flying Tigers Museums in Chongqing? The Flying Tiger T Shirts sell online in China, and prices are very reasonable. But the webiste is in Chinese. I think they can send the T Shirts to your home in Pennsylvania USA. Check out the link below:
http://world.taobao.com/search/search.htm?_ksTS=1451317815400_19&spm=a21bp.7806943.20151106.1&_input_charset=utf-8&navigator=all&json=on&q=%E9%A3%9E%E8%99%8E%E9%98%9Ft%E6%81%A4&callback=__jsonp_cb&cna=Vs9LDhTCC0ICAd6DG9xoJw28&abtest=_AB-LR517-LR854-LR895-PR854-PV517_2374-PV895_2351
Note: http://www.taobao.com is the largest shopping website based in China. You may try to find a Chinese friend assisting you buy the shirts.
1. http://www.rangerup.com/flyingtigers.html
Gentlemen:
I am tryiig to locate infomration on my wife’s father who we understand was infvolved in the Flying Tigers. We thnk his name would be Henry Shau Wong. My wife’s Chinese name is Shau Li Wong, born March 16, 1939. Her mother was Verde. We have photos of the marriage but no other details. Verde and Henry had four children my wife Erica, Howand and two other children. We underestand that Henry’s father had something to do with the gold trade – buying, selling or jeweler. My wife and I were in Chogqing somethime in the mid 1980s and visited the museum. We saw very few Asian men in the photos. I am looking for data, information, photos etc for my grandchildren. If you have any information at all it would be gratefully appreciated, Sincerely, Robert and Erica Riegel
Hi Robert and Erica Riegel,
Thanks for your post! The members of Flying Tigers are always much admired here in China. We are proud of you that your wife’s father was involved in the Flying Tigers.
The name of Henry Shau Wong tells your wife’s father is a Chinese. Do you know his Chinese name? It is not easy to look into any information on Henry Shau Wong with his English name if we check with the message here in Chinese.
Good luck and good health to you and your wife! Keep in touch!
Best regards,
Daniel Li
Beijing, China.
A while back a film crew came to California to interview and film two WWII pilots that flew the Hump. They were Weston “Wes” Ament and Roy Dillon. Both men have since passed away. I have Roy Dillon’s flight jacket from WWII that I would like to donate to the museum if you would be willing to pay the postage. Jack Henry 9100 Lauren Jackson, California 95642 305-772-5471
Searching for any information
Master Sargent. In the army
Perhaps this is the film John Fisher was looking for, of the Flying Tigers.
https://ihffilm.com/22995.html entitled China Crisis DVD (14th Air Force Flying Tigers)
An Army Air Force film about the exploits of the 14th Air Force (the famous Flying Tigers) against the Japanese. USA, 1945, B&W, 41 minutes. $19.95 US.
During a trip to Chongqing last month, our local tour guide stated that the Flying Tigers used an airfield on Dazhongcun Island in the Yangtze River. Is this factually true? Unfortunately I did not have an opportunity to visit the museum while there.
Thanks
Louis
Dear Louis Juhasz,
We have little knowledge of the airfield on Dazhongcun Island. Hopeflly someday we can go there to have a look and update the article. Thanks for your feedback!
A late friend of mine flew with the Flying Tigers. See page 13 at https://03fa24d.netsolhost.com/wordpress1/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/September-2020-1.pdf.
I have been to China three times but not to the Flying Tiger Museum. How is the museum doing insofar as donations and attendance?
Thank you,
Bob Sawallesh
A late friend of mine flew with the Flying Tigers. See page 13 at https://03fa24d.netsolhost.com/wordpress1/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/September-2020-1.pd
How is the museum doing insofar as donations and attendance?
Thank you,
Bob Sawallesh
Dear Bob,
Thanks for your kind email!
So cool! We salute to your Flying Tigers friend! Having been back to the museum for a long time, I now have little updated information about it. Keep in touch! If we have any further information, we’ll let you know. Thanks again for your kind email! Best Regards, Daniel Li
Hello,
I just discover this museum and webpage. I’m very excited because one of my great grand-father was an american pilot and he was a volunteer in China working with Chennault. Could you confirm me that Weston Bert HALL is somewhere in one of the picture of pilot list ? Witch squadron ? I have very few info about my ancestor …
Thank you very much for your work
Hi Nicolas，
Much delighted to have received your email today! Very proud of one of your grand-fathers who was engaged in the glorious cause. But unfortunately, we don’t work at the musuem and have no information on Weston Bert HALL. But we are trying out some detail. If any further developments, we will let you know. Thanks again for your kind email! Best Regards, Daniel Li.
I would like to purchase two Flying Tiger extra large “T” shirts from the museum. It was closed when I was there.
My father was a Radio Technician at Flying Tiger airbases in Kunming, Guiyang and Chongqing. He served under Chennault’s U.S. 14th Air Force 14th Air Services He flew over the Hump in January 1944. I’m disappointed there is no pictures or information on the thousands of Chinese Americans who served under Chennault in the CBI theatre between 1942-1945. The 14th Air Force 14th Air Services group contributed to the Flying Tiger Memorial Gate in Taishan, Guangdong, China. The gate is dedicated to all Chinese Americans who served in WWII in the CBI theatre between 1942-1945.
My father was a Radio Technician at Flying Tiger airbases in Kunming, Guiyang and Chongqing. He served under Chennault’s U.S. 14th Air Force 14th Air Services He flew over the Hump in January 1944. I’m disappointed there is no pictures or information on the thousands of Chinese Americans who served under Chennault in the CBI theatre between 1942-1945.
Dear Susan,
Thanks for your your message left on our page of Flying Tigers Museum in Chongqing! Your father and the other thousands of Chinese Americans who served under Chennault will be remembered for ever. They are heroes having sacrificed in the fight against the Japanese aggression in World II. We have put your message in the article to remind all of us to pay tribute to the the thousands of Chinese Americans who served under Chennault in the CBI theatre between 1942-1945. Susan, thank you!