For a domestic Chinese tourist, no Chongqing Tour is complete without visiting Zhazidong prison. The site of Zhazidong Prison was covertly set up in 1943 by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) . It is located in Gele Mountains, northwest of Chongqing.
Zhazidong was a coal mine turned prison with 16 wards for men and 2 for women holding 300 prisoners at most. There were also torture chambers, the rooms for officers and guides. This was the place where Communists were massacred and tortured by Nationalist Party during the Chinese Civil War between 1945 and 1949.
Less than two months after the founding of the People’s Republic of China proclaimed by Chairman Mao Ocobter 1, 1949, a fire was set to the men prison wards, on Nov 27, 1949, slaughtered all the communists but 15 who managed to break through the walls and escaped.
Now the site of Zhazidong Prison has been turned to a museum, a “Red Revolution Education Site” for the new generations. Nearly all the Chinese people more or less know about the stories behind Zhazidong Prison. I can still recall an article in my high school reccording the story about the youngest martyr – Song Zhengzong.
He was only one year old when he was arrested with his Mom. He didn’t know the taste of a candy or sweets. He grew skiny and bony due to the lack of nutrition. His nickname was “Little Radish” simply because his head looked big with a thin body.
The signboard indicating the site of Zhazidong Prison, a national level historical relics.
Now it is the 21th century when CCP and KTM are on the way to their third “Alliance” in the aspects of tourism, agriculture, industry, arts, sports and more.
Hopefully there will be more reconciliation between the mainland and Taiwan, and no more civil wars in China.
Address: Lingyun Rd, Shapingba District, Chongqing
How to get there:
1)Take light rail line 1 and get off at Shijingpo Station, you can get there on foot;
2) Take Bus no. 232 and 232 and Get off at Yingshanhong Station
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 Chongqing Guided Tours:
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.