Yanzhou Japanese Invasion Observation Tower

Yanzhou Japanese Invasion Observation Tower

The Yanzhou Japanese Invasion Observation Tower is a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province.

The Yanzhou Japanese Invasion Observation Tower is located in Jiuxianqiao Subdistrict, Yanzhou District, Jining City, dating back to 1938.

The observation tower is located within the former bakelite factory in Sanhe Village, Jiuxianqiao Subdistrict Office, Yanzhou City. Constructed in 1938 after the Japanese occupation of Yanzhou, it functioned as an auxiliary facility for observation. The building is a three-story structure oriented north-south, with a width of three bays spanning 8.8 meters from east to west and a depth of 5.5 meters. The base of the tower served as a storage room, while the northern side of the tower housed a staircase leading to the top. The wooden staircase has largely rotted and can no longer bear weight. Much of the wall plaster has peeled off, and the ceilings on the first and second floors have collapsed, leaving a flat rooftop. There are also more than ten auxiliary rooms, which are currently used as dormitories for glass factory employees. The observation tower was one of the ancillary facilities built by the Japanese for the airport and stands as significant evidence of the Japanese invasion of China. In October 2009, it was approved by the Yanzhou Municipal People's Government and listed as part of the third batch of Yanzhou Municipal Cultural Relic Protection Units. In November 2012, it was designated as a Jining Municipal Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

On June 23, 2015, the Yanzhou Japanese Invasion Observation Tower was announced by the Shandong Provincial People's Government as part of the fifth batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units.

Jiuxianqiao Subdistrict: Jiuxianqiao Subdistrict of Yanzhou City was established in June 2008. Located in the eastern part of Yanzhou City, it is home to three rivers: the Si River, the Xiao Yi River, and the Fu River, covering an area of 11.3 square kilometers. In 2012, it governed 13 administrative villages and 6 communities. By the end of 2013, the subdistrict had a total population of 32,899, including 21,285 permanent urban residents, representing an urbanization rate of 65%.

In 2014, Jiuxianqiao Subdistrict focused on the municipal Party committee’s overall requirements of “Year of Improvement and Year of Visible Results,” and followed the district Party committee and government’s development strategy of “One, Two, Three, Four, Five,” along with four “More...” Detailed information about Jiuxianqiao Subdistrict++

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units

· Fourth Batch of Jining Municipal Cultural Relic Protection Units