Harbin Yilan Sikuishi Anti-Japanese Allied Forces (AAF) Site

Harbin Yilan Sikuishi Anti-Japanese Allied Forces (AAF) Site

Harbin Yilan Sikuishi Anti-Japanese Allied Forces (AAF) Site is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Sikuishi Scenic Area is an important red tourism destination in the three northeastern provinces, centered on AAF historical sites, and stands as the best testament to the 14-year resistance of the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Forces.

Sikuishi is located in the northern part of Yilan County and is the highest peak within Yilan’s territory on the southern foothills of the Lesser Khingan Mountains, with an elevation of 980 meters. The area features not only steep terrain and spectacular scenery but also served as a secret camp for the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Forces. The 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, and 11th AAF armies all operated here. In 1936, the 3rd and 6th AAF armies established a rear base here, which also served as the headquarters of the Provisional Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in Northern Manchuria.

Due to its steep and easily defensible terrain, Sikuishi was the site of numerous important meetings, the most significant of which were three. The first meeting was held in September 1936, the second in June 1937, and the third in May 1938. These meetings discussed major issues related to the anti-Japanese guerrilla war in the northeast. The 1937 meeting, known as the “Ma’ershan Meeting,” was an expanded session of the Northern Manchuria Provincial Committee. Attendees included Zhao Shangzhi (Commander-in-Chief of the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Forces and Commander of the 3rd Army), Feng Zhongyun (Secretary of the Northern Manchuria Provincial Committee), Li Zhaolin (Political Director of the 6th Army), Zhou Baozhong (Commander of the 5th Army and Special Envoy of the Eastern Manchuria Provincial Committee), Dai Hongbin (Commander of the 6th Army), Feng Zhigang (Chief of Staff of the 6th Army), Huang Chengzhi (Secretary of the Northern Manchuria Provincial Committee), Zhang Lansheng (Organization Minister of the Northern Manchuria Provincial Committee), Wei Changkui (Secretary of the Lower River Special Committee), Huang Yinxiu (Secretary of the 6th Army Headquarters), Lan Zhiyuan (Division Commander of the 3rd Army), Wu Yuguang (Political Director of the 4th Division of the 6th Army), Yu Baohe (Propaganda Chief of the 3rd Army Headquarters and Director of the AAF Communications School), Zhang Xingde (Political Director of the 2nd Division of the 6th Army), and Xu Wenbin (Secretary of the 6th Army Headquarters). General Li Zhaolin’s famous song “Campfire Song,” with the line “The fire warms our chests, the wind chills our backs,” was composed here.

Another standout feature of the Sikuishi Scenic Area is its unique northern natural landscape, which includes over 20 renowned sights such as the “One-Line Sky” and “Moon Gate.” This allows visitors to appreciate the beautiful mountain scenery while receiving patriotic education, greatly enhancing the area's appeal and influence.

Blocking Stone: An important battlefield where soldiers from the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 11th AAF armies resisted enemy forces. Between 1936 and 1938, this site successfully repelled enemy attacks more than 30 times, killing hundreds of enemies.

AAF 6th Army Hospital: In April 1938, the AAF 6th Army’s Ma’ershan Hospital was destroyed by the Japanese army. Over 20 comrades, including Pei Chengchun and Li Min, relocated the wounded to this cave, which served as a temporary hospital. The cave is 58 meters deep, with an area of nearly 30 square meters. It gets lower and the ground becomes uneven the further in you go. It remains cool in summer and warm in winter. Currently, only the first 10 meters or so are accessible; beyond that, one must crawl. At the time, eight female comrades cared for and treated the wounded brought from the front lines. Due to a lack of medicine, they often collected medicinal herbs in the mountains to treat the injured.

First and Second AAF Sentry Posts: These two sentry posts were selected by Pei Chengchun, the head of the 6th Army’s uniform factory. They could support each other and served as key positions for AAF soldiers defending the temporary hospital. Soldiers rotated shifts every two hours during the day and every hour at night.

Martyr Yu Baohe’s Tomb: Yu Baohe, the propaganda chief of the 3rd AAF Army, fought arduously for three years at Sikuishi and married Li Zaidede, a comrade from the uniform factory, there. After the liberation, he worked in Beijing and passed away in 1985. His children buried his ashes here according to his wishes.

Goat Trail: The narrowest section is less than 50 centimeters wide. AAF soldiers frequently transported supplies back and forth along this path.

One-Line Sky: A famous natural landscape in the province, where the distance between the two stone cliffs is as narrow as 80 centimeters at the closest point.

Army Horse Farm: A natural training ground and pasture for horses used by the 3rd, 6th, and 9th AAF armies. The area is open and flat, covering more than 1,000 square meters. After more than 60 years of change, it has now grown into a dense forest.

AAF Well: In 1935, Comrade Feng Zhongyun, Secretary of the Northern Manchuria Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, and his secretary Cui Qingzhu, discovered and organized the digging of this well while scouting for a location for their headquarters. The well is over 10 meters deep, with most of the water coming from mountain springs.

Additionally, according to Comrade Li Min’s recollections, the AAF uniform factory was located more than 10 li from here. In February 1937, the 6th AAF Army established a uniform factory and repair workshop. The workshop was a cylindrical log cabin, about 200 square meters in size, with a wooden board roof and large skylights. The factory was led by Pei Chengchun and had members including Li Min and Li Zaidede, with a maximum of around 30 people. There were only three sewing machines, used to make clothes, ammunition pouches, military flags, and other items for AAF soldiers. In 1978, staff from the Danqinghe Forest Farm discovered a sewing machine, which was identified by Comrade Li Min and staff from the Northeast Martyrs Memorial Hall as an AAF relic and is now housed in the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Forces Martyrs Memorial Hall.