Lushun 203 Highland

Lushun 203 Highland

203 Highland is located at Shipanqiao in Lushun District, Dalian, also known as "Houshi Mountain" due to its elevation of 203 meters. From the main peak of 203 Highland, you can see the peculiar island in the Bohai Sea—Snake Island—to the west, Laotie Mountain at the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula to the southwest, and overlook Lushun Naval Port to the southeast.

203 Highland was the fiercest and most brutal main battlefield on the western front during the land battles of the Russo-Japanese War in Lushun. The son of a Japanese general died here from Russian artillery fire. Today, there remains a shell-shaped memorial tower built by the Japanese, whose inscriptions refer to “203” phonetically as “Mount Ering” (尔灵山).

In related war films shot in Japan, the name Lushun 203 Highland frequently appears: for example, in the film “The Battle of the Japan Sea,” there are scenes of fierce fighting between Japanese and Russian forces on 203 Highland; Japan also produced a film specifically titled “203 Highland,” detailing the battle conditions of that time; in the Japanese TV drama “Oshin,” the Japanese deserter Junzo escaped from the battlefield during the assault on 203 Highland. The renowned Japanese anti-war female poet Akiko Yosano once wrote a poem reflecting the wartime situation, titled “Ah, My Brother, You Should Not Die Like This,” which deeply exposed the heinous crimes of Japanese militarism in launching the war of aggression.

Today, the area is covered with lush trees and shady pines, and cherry blossoms are abundant on the mountain. It has now been designated as a national forest park. Every spring, various species of cherry blossoms bloom in succession, creating a dreamlike scene as if the whole world is painted in the soft pink of cherry blossoms, presenting a breathtaking sea of flowers.

: 203 Highland on Houshi Mountain in Lushun was the most fiercely contested battlefield between the two sides during the Russo-Japanese War for control of Lushun Port. The son of a Japanese general died here from Russian artillery fire. Today, there remains a shell-shaped memorial tower built by the Japanese, whose inscriptions renamed “203” as “Mount Ering.” Due to 203 Highland’s excellent natural environment and abundant cherry blossoms, it has now been established as a national forest park.

Ticket: 30 RMB

Address: Shipanqiao, Lushun District, Dalian

Type: Urban Park / Military

Recommended visiting time: 1–2 hours

Opening hours:

8:00-18:00