Dongcha Anti-Japanese Base Site

Dongcha Anti-Japanese Base Site

The Dongcha Anti-Japanese Base Site is located in the Laoling Mountain area within Ji’an City. It stretches from Xiaojingou in Yangcha Village, Taiwang Town in the east to Shuangcha Village, Taishang Town in the west, from Dalu Town, Yulin Town, and Maxian Township in the south to Qinghe Town in the north, covering an area of over 600 square kilometers. This expansive region boasts well-preserved natural ecology and minimal human activity.

The Dongcha Anti-Japanese Base is located 18–30 kilometers northwest of the city. To the east, the Laoling Mountain Range and the dense forests of Xiaoyeling serve as natural barriers, while to the west and south, towering mountains and steep ridges block transportation routes. The ceaselessly flowing Mayi River originates at the foothills of Xiaoyeling in the east, gathering tributaries before flowing into the Hun River. This area features deep mountains, thick forests, and complex terrain, making it easy to defend but hard to attack. General Yang Jingyu once led the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army to establish the Dongcha Anti-Japanese Base here. The base spans approximately 10 kilometers in length and covers about 125 square kilometers in area.

After extensive research, it has been concluded that the original name “Dongcha Anti-Japanese Base” does not accurately describe the scope of the activities carried out by the Anti-Japanese United Army at the time. It is recommended to rename it as the “Laoling Anti-Japanese Base Centered on Dongcha.”

As early as 1936 to 1937, Yang Jingyu sent instructors such as Yu Xianzhou to survey the Dongcha and Changgang areas of Jilin (now Ji’an), promote the Party’s anti-Japanese policies, and build relationships with the local population. Through their efforts, a solid foundation of support among the people was established. In early 1938, Yang Jingyu led the main forces of the First Route Army of the Anti-Japanese United Army to the area to build the anti-Japanese base. They established headquarters, logistics departments, temporary field hospitals, and other facilities, with almost every valley and mountain pass hosting a camp of the Anti-Japanese United Army.

On April 12, 1981, the People’s Government of Jilin Province designated the Dongcha Anti-Japanese Base Site as a key provincial-level cultural relic protection unit. On April 5, 1983, to commemorate Yang Junheng, former Chief of Staff of the First Route Army of the Anti-Japanese United Army, who heroically sacrificed his life in the August 2, 1938 Battle of Changgang, along with more than ten soldiers, the Ji’an County People’s Government erected an Anti-Hero Martyrs Monument on the hillside by the Mayi River at the entrance of Xiaobabao Valley.

Source: Ji’an Municipal Party School

Yangcha Village: Yangcha Village…… More detailed information about Yangcha Village++