Landing Site of the Japanese Invading Army in Xiaochuansha

Landing Site of the Japanese Invading Army in Xiaochuansha

The Landing Site of the Japanese Invading Army in Xiaochuansha is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanghai Municipality.

Landing Site of the Japanese Invading Army in Xiaochuansha

It is situated on the riverbank of the Xiaochuansha estuary, east of XinChuansha Road and west of ChuanNian Road in Luojing Town, Baoshan District. In the early hours of August 23, 1937, the Japanese invading army landed at the Xiaochuansha estuary in Baoshan’s Luojing (now Luojing, Baoshan District, Shanghai). Along their advance, they committed arson, murder, rape, and looting. Within less than 100 days, they killed 2,244 civilians, burned down 10,948 houses, and raped hundreds of women, in what is historically known as the “Luojing Massacre.” The massacre of 2,244 civilians within a single township, accounting for 80% of the township’s population at the time, was carried out with such brutality and at such a density that it is rare even across the entire nation.

In August 1973, Luojing Township erected a monument inscribed with “Never Forget” at the site where the Japanese invaders landed, to remind future generations of the national and familial hatred. In September 1985, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the Baoshan County People’s Government re-erected a monument at the original site. The front of the monument is inscribed with “Landing Site of the Japanese Invading Army in Xiaochuansha,” while the back describes the atrocities committed by the Japanese army, in memory of the fellow villagers killed by the invaders. Later, this site became a place for compatriots from home and abroad to commemorate the Anti-Japanese War. In 1997, to mark the 60th anniversary of the “August 13th” Battle of Shanghai, the Cultural and Historical Committee of the Baoshan District Political Consultative Conference, together with the District Chronicles Office and the Luojing Town Party Committee, conducted an extensive investigation into the Luojing Massacre. Based on this research, the book “Luojing Memorial” was published. More than 20 media outlets, including People’s Daily, reported on it. In December 1998, local media prominently featured a photograph—Japanese writer Katsuo Saotome led a delegation to investigate Luojing and, in front of the “Landing Site” monument, held up the book “Luojing Memorial,” warning his fellow countrymen: “History must not be forgotten!” This has become an important site for patriotic education.

In recent years, compatriots from home and abroad, especially some experts and scholars, have criticized the name of the monument, arguing that its wording is inappropriate and prone to misunderstanding. Additionally, with economic development, the area has become a major transportation route for Baosteel’s logistics vehicles, and the limited space around the monument made it inconvenient for visitors. As a result, after research and decision-making by the Shanghai Cultural Relics Management Committee and relevant departments in Baoshan District, the name of the monument originally erected on the riverbank of the Xiaochuansha estuary in Luojing Town, Baoshan District, was changed from “Landing Site of the Japanese Invading Army in Xiaochuansha” to “Memorial Monument for the Victims of the Luojing Massacre by the Japanese Invading Army.” The monument was also relocated to the site of the Luojing Town Party School.

On September 3, 1985, the Baoshan County People’s Government re-erected the current “Landing Site of the Japanese Invading Army in Xiaochuansha” monument. In August 2003, it underwent renovation. At the same time, to facilitate public commemoration and visits, a new “Memorial Monument for the Victims of the Luojing Massacre by the Japanese Invading Army” was constructed at No. 121 Chendong Road, Luojing (inside the Luojing Party School). On April 4, 2014, it was designated as a “Cultural Relic Protection Unit of Shanghai Municipality.”

Luojing Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Baoshan District, Shanghai. Established in 1958 as the First Brigade of Yuejin Commune, it was renamed Luojing Commune in 1959, became a township in 1984, and was upgraded to a town in 1993. Located in the northern part of the district, it covers an area of 28.3 square kilometers with a population of 22,000. The town enjoys well-developed land and water transportation, with roads such as Shanghai-Taicang Road, YunChuan Road, XinChuansha Road, JiNing Road, PanChuan Road, ChenChuan Road, and FeiDa Road passing through it. The Yangsheng River, XinChuansha River, PanJing River, and DiJing River flow through the area. Key infrastructures include the Baosteel Reservoir, Chenhang Reservoir, and the Luojing New Port Energy Terminal. The town administers communities and villages including Haihong, Sanqiao, Chuansha, Baofeng, Chenhang, Hezhong, … More detailed information about Luojing Town++