Shanjiao Anti-Japanese Tunnel Site

Shanjiao Anti-Japanese Tunnel Site

The Shanjiao Anti-Japanese Tunnel Site is a cultural heritage site protected by Hebei Province, a classic red tourism destination, a patriotic education base, and a national defense education base.

The Shanjiao Anti-Japanese Tunnel Site in southern Hebei is located at the foot of Gushan Mountain in the Taihang Mountain range, in Shanjiao Village, Yijing Town, Fengfeng Mining District, Handan City, Hebei Province.

The Shanjiao Anti-Japanese Tunnels were expanded and excavated in 1942 by several early Communist Party members from the village, who led the local residents in building upon an existing network of "gold-hiding caves" to create a system for resisting Japanese invaders and effectively striking back at the enemy. The existing tunnel system includes a main passage of 1,626 meters, auxiliary passages totaling 304 meters, branch tunnels spanning 13,666 meters, two large chambers, six small hiding holes and gateways, four traps, two tunnels leading directly to dry wells, one tunnel extending over 1,000 meters to the foot of the Taihang Mountains, and additional tunnels connecting to nearby villages such as Wangkan and Sufeng. The main tunnel features an upper and lower level, with various types of hatches and doors at entrances that offer protection against water, poison gas, fire, sabotage, and more. Each corner is equipped with firing holes, traps, and hidden chambers. On the surface, camouflaged tunnels and shooting ports are cleverly hidden in kitchen hearths, tree hollows, wells, millstone bases, and cliff edges. The entire network connects every tunnel and household, forming an underground fortress capable of both offense and defense. Research confirms that due to the area’s high-quality soil, the tunnels have remained remarkably well-preserved for over 60 years, making them the most intact and longest anti-Japanese wartime tunnel system in China. The tunnels authentically reflect the wisdom and great ingenuity of revolutionary predecessors during the war.

During the Anti-Japanese War, the villagers also created homemade stone mines and other weapons to combat the enemy. They built walls and watchtowers outside the village, and constructed high-defense fortifications, bunkers, and wall-mounted gun ports inside. Relying on the tunnels, the brave residents of Shanjiao ingeniously combined tunnel warfare with guerrilla tactics to successfully repel dozens of Japanese attacks and sieges, killing nearly a thousand enemies. Countless heroic figures and moving deeds emerged, including celebrated resistance fighters like Liu Yuzhen. While eliminating large numbers of enemies, the Shanjiao Tunnels also provided effective protection for the villagers themselves. They played a pivotal role in turning the tide of battle and expanding rear bases behind enemy lines, which is why this small village has earned a place in the history of the Anti-Japanese War. It was featured multiple times in the Taihang edition of Xinhua Daily and People’s Daily. Between 1938 and 1945, the village was awarded honorary titles such as “Model Anti-Japanese Village” and “Model Support-the-Front Village” by the Taihang Administrative Office and the Taihang Military District.

In the 1950s, when the August First Film Studio was producing the movie Tunnel Warfare, its research and filming crews conducted multiple field investigations and interviews in Shanjiao Village. Many of the film’s plotlines were drawn from real events and battles that took place in Shanjiao during the war, and numerous scenes were filmed on location.

Since 2007, the district government has invested over 2 million yuan in the emergency preservation of the site. Efforts included comprehensive repair and reinforcement of the tunnels, clearing of debris inside, renovation of village streets, reconstruction of a surface watchtower, and restoration of 1,626 meters of tunnels. A new 400-square-meter patriotic education exhibition hall was built, housing over 260 historical documents. A 35-meter-long wisteria corridor was added, along with a large stone relief mural, a classical-style entrance gate, and a 1,750-square-meter parking lot. To further enhance the educational value, an antique-style cultural street was developed, featuring a 530-meter greenbelt, various ornamental trees, a 4,000-square-meter cultural wall, and a military simulation battlefield project. These additions have enabled the site to accommodate visitors and serve as a base for patriotic education.

In August 2008, Nie Chenshi, member of the Provincial Party Committee and head of the Propaganda Department, visited the Shanjiao Anti-Japanese Tunnel Site and spoke highly of its preserved scale and educational impact. He put forward clear requirements for its further protection, restoration, and development, setting a clear direction for the growth of this patriotic education landmark.

Since opening to the public, the Shanjiao Anti-Japanese Tunnel Site has become an important venue for patriotic education activities in Fengfeng Mining District and has had a broad impact both locally and beyond. Currently, it serves as a patriotic education practice base for local primary and secondary school students, a patriotic education site for the district’s militia, and a national defense education base. During holidays and major events, youth organizations, the district education bureau, and the armed forces regularly organize young people and militia members to participate in various forms of patriotic and revolutionary tradition education here. Local Party organizations also use the site as a designated location for oath-taking ceremonies. Retired cadres, tourists, and visitors from neighboring provinces such as Henan, Shanxi, and Shandong, as well as residents from across the province, come here to learn and pay tribute. To date, the site has received over 100,000 visitors. Many are amazed by the great feats and vast underground engineering accomplished by the villagers during the war, and moved by their heroic struggle to defend the nation and their homes. Today, whether as a tourist attraction or a red education base, the Shanjiao Anti-Japanese Tunnel Site plays an active role in promoting patriotism, advancing patriotic and revolutionary tradition education, and enhancing national defense awareness.

The Shanjiao War Tunnels, after multiple renovations, are not only exceptionally well-preserved but have also regained vitality in the 21st century. This ten-kilometer underground “Great Wall” of revolutionary history continues to benefit the public. As visitors enter the tunnels, they step into an underground labyrinth full of mystery and depth. The surface structures—watchtowers and grand gatehouses—stand as majestic monuments, while remnants of wartime efforts above and below ground vividly showcase the wisdom and strength of the revolutionary predecessors. The newly built modern exhibition hall combines sound, light, and projection effects to recreate the atmosphere of the war, offering visitors an immersive experience. Traditional folk culture adds a nostalgic charm, while the rustic flavors of farm-style eateries and wild mountain vegetables leave a lasting impression on guests.

The Shanjiao Anti-Japanese Tunnel Site is a patriotic education base in Hebei Province, a practice education base for the Young Pioneers, a patriotic education site in Handan City, a key municipal cultural relic protected by Handan, a national defense education base in Fengfeng Mining District, a red education base for revolutionary tradition studies, and a popular tourist destination.

Yijing Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Fengfeng Mining District, Handan City. Established as Yijing Township in 1955, upgraded to a commune in 1961, became Yijing Town in 1984, and merged with Wangkan Town in 1996. Located in the western part of the mining district, east of Gushan Mountain, it covers an area of 61.9 square kilometers with a population of 57,000. The Fengwu Highway runs through the town. The town administers villages including Yizhangzhuang, Xiabajian, Shangbajian, Yixi, Yizhong, Yibei, Yishe, Ershe, Yangyi, Yang’er, Mazhuang, Nanhou, Beihou, Xinzhuang, Lizhuang, Wangyi, Wang’er, Wangsan, Dongwangkan, Shijiu, Shangnao, Xiannao, Sanhedi, Jiulongjiao, Xishan, Sufeng, Gangtou... More details about Yijing Town++

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Municipal Cultural Relic Protection Units in Handan City

· Sixth Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units