Hutou Tourist Scenic Area

Hutou Tourist Scenic Area

The Hutou Tourist Scenic Area is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Hutou Tourist Scenic Area has rich and unique tourism resources and profound cultural heritage. It is a comprehensive destination that combines eco-tourism, red tourism, forest tourism, cross-border tourism, and ice-snow tourism. Like a painted scroll, it holds a century of changes, stories from World War II, fortress ruins, frontier scenery, and the splendor of the great river, along with tales of ancient temples. But what captivates visitors the most are the stories of World War II, the fortress ruins, and the beautiful riverside frontier views. For it is here, through the WWII narratives and fortress remains, that one can witness how Japan’s unjust invasion of China came to an end. In the rushing waters, you can see where the upstream tributaries of the Ussuri River converge between China and Russia, marking the starting point of this frontier river and revealing the interwoven beauty of the bordering waterways.

Paintings on Menghu Mountain in Hutou vividly depict the stories of World War II and fortress ruins, including tales of the Far East Campaign and memories of the anti-Japanese resistance. Stepping into this site, you’ll encounter life-sized sculptures of real anti-Japanese heroes, relief walls filled with stories of wartime flames, a towering Heroes’ Monument on the mountain, a grand and solemn memorial square, images and texts filled with heart-wrenching testimonies, and remnants of eerie underground fortresses that still seem foreboding. All of these instantly transport your thoughts back over seventy years to that sorrowful and indignant era. The hateful Japanese invaders had long harbored ambitions to dominate China’s northeastern frontier and expand into the Soviet Union. Shortly after the September 18th Incident, their invading forces brutally marched into Hutou, a frontier town, imposing heavy taxes, secretly plotting, and constructing what they boasted to be the “Eastern Maginot Line”—a so-called permanent military fortification. Thus, the surrounding mountains of Menghu Mountain were honeycombed with interconnected underground bunkers, sprawling field artillery positions, and heavily guarded barracks. Countless dark gun and cannon muzzles were aimed directly at Soviet positions across the river, as well as key strategic points and vital facilities. Clearly, they intended to use this military layout and combat strength to strengthen both offensive and defensive capabilities, waiting for the right moment to cross the river and attack the Soviet Union, fulfilling their goal of dominating Northeast Asia.

But history was harsh and offered them no such opportunity—instead, it meted out severe punishment. On August 9, 1945, the well-prepared Soviet Red Army issued the declaration of war against Japan and promptly organized a massive land and air assault on the Japanese forces stationed at the Hutou Fortress. They successively annihilated all Japanese troops at five positions and their fortifications—Menghu Mountain, Hu Xiao Mountain, Hu Bei Mountain, Hu Dong Mountain, and Hu Xi Mountain—destroyed numerous field positions and fortress structures, and ultimately secured a complete victory in the Battle of Hutou. History will forever remember August 26, 1945, the day when the detested Japanese invaders were finally eradicated from this land of fury. It is also unforgettable that the Soviet Red Army soldiers paid a tremendous sacrifice; nearly 500 officers and soldiers rest eternally on Menghu Mountain. That pure and towering monument stands as a tribute to their memory and as an everlasting remembrance of the Far East battle that took place in Hutou.

A stone stele inscribed with the bold characters “Origin of the Ussuri River” stands by the riverbank in Hutou. Looking ahead from the stele, the river stretches vast and deep, its waters varying in color, clearly demarcated into distinct shades that form a colored line extending far into the distance before gradually fading away. Following this line upward, not far away you can see the Iman River of Russia slowly flowing into the Ussuri River—it is the confluence of the Iman River and the Ussuri River. They meet silently amidst the wetland scenery at the foot of Hutou, and this is the very starting point of the Ussuri River.

Hutou was already a prominent and historic town during the late Qing Dynasty, over a hundred years ago. At one time, it was quite famous—the county government was once located here before being relocated to present-day Hulin after the Japanese invasion. Therefore, Hutou was once a county seat, having endured a century of storms and carrying the weight of historical hardships. It is a richly colored scroll of history.

Walking along the tree-lined riverbank, you’ll find a boundary marker engraved with recessed red characters “292-(1)---2014.” It represents the Hutou people’s promise: “Love you for a lifetime, devoted to you in this life.” It showcases the deep love and attachment of the people of Hutou to their homeland. Just like the towering tiger sculpture on Menghu Mountain, Hutou has long exuded vitality, vigor, and majestic presence. It has become a beautiful frontier home, with its mountain-and-water scenery and historical legacy continuously drawing people to it.

Further Reading:

· Batch 35 of National 5A-Level Tourist Attractions (January 2020)