The 23rd Gully

The 23rd Gully

The 23rd Gully

Battle Site of the 23rd Gully Combat of the 6th Division of the 2nd Army of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army

With the loud blast of a whistle, our photography association arrived at the “Kouyu” area at the entrance of the 23rd Gully to capture the scenery. Here flows a river, vibrant and emerald green as if dyed

, originating two kilometers southwest of Longgang Mountain at Liuzhongdian, stretching 46.7 kilometers in length with a drainage area of 68.4 square kilometers, flowing from north to south into the Yalu River. During the Northeast Anti-Japanese War, the famous Battle of the 23rd Gully on the Yalu River took place here. Watching the surging river and hearing its majestic flow, one can almost hear the resounding notes of anti-Japanese military songs echoing in their ears:

The mountains and rivers quake, thundering across ten thousand miles, the sound of cannons roaring,

A symbol of imperialism oppressing weaker nations.

When the nation is not safe, how can families survive? There is no peace at all.

Between darkness and light, the struggle on the line between life and death will decide.

Rise up, Chinese and Korean people ! Never linger in slumber again,

With both blood and iron, we only await the charge�

Burning, looting, raping, humiliating, and even seeking extermination,

Attempting to swallow Korea and China — could this be the savagery of the “Tanaka Memorial”?

Sharing hatred for the enemy, uniting against national calamity, their tyranny won’t last long.

Unite, Chinese and Korean people ! Unity means survival, division means doom. In late May 1937, the 2nd Division of the 1st Army and the 4th and 6th Divisions of the 2nd Army met at the secret camp in Heixiazigou, discussing strategies for launching guerrilla warfare on both sides of the Yalu River. In the early hours of June 2, the 6th Division selected 150 strong and brave soldiers from the 7th and 8th Regiments and the Guard Company to form an expeditionary team. They left the Heixiazigou secret camp, traversed the dense forests of Hengshan, and arrived at the “Kouyu” settlement at the entrance of the 23rd Gully that evening. On June 4, they attacked the Japanese forces stationed in Phungyo, Korea. On June 5, they swiftly withdrew back to the entrance of the 23rd Gully. Soon after, the Japanese Dachuan Police Squadron, the Imamura Police Squadron, and the Japanese garrison unit led by Captain Kurita of Hyesan successively gave chase. The Dachuan Police Squadron formed a “suicide squad,” braving intense gunfire to forcibly cross the Yalu River and engage our troops in fierce combat. The officers and soldiers of the 6th Division, regardless of fatigue, fought relentlessly, seizing the high ground of the northern ridge at the entrance of the 23rd Gully. From their elevated position, they unleashed fierce fire upon the enemy, throwing them into panic. The enemy abandoned their dead and fled toward the river. The battle at the entrance of the 23rd Gully eliminated over 50 enemies, capturing one machine gun, more than 50 rifles, and some military supplies. This was a major victory for the 6th Division, achieved under the dire situation of being attacked from both front and rear, by crossing the Yalu River to annihilate the enemy.

Today, with the smoke of war long gone, the CPC Changbai County Committee and the county government have led the hardworking and courageous people of Changbai, following in the footsteps of their predecessors, forging through thorns and carving roads through mountains. In just a few years, they have transformed Changbai County into a place with an extensive transportation network, making it a key hub for international border trade. Now, with a spirit of seizing every moment, they have completed the road connecting the 23rd Gully to the Tianchi Border Tourism Highway, striving to build China’s top tourism county, enabling this once impoverished mountain valley to spread its wings and take flight, shaking off poverty and marching toward prosperity.

Constructing this highest-altitude highway in the northeast is truly awe-inspiring ! It is also a miracle in the history of road construction in the northeast !