Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Site

Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Site

The Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Site is a Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a patriotic education base.

Mǎ’ānshān is located in the Zīhé area of Tàihé Town, Zīchuān District. It earned its name due to its saddle-like shape, with the main peak standing at an elevation of 618 meters and covering a total area of 25.6 square kilometers. It serves as a provincial-level patriotic education base that integrates historical culture, revolutionary tradition education, and natural scenery.

The infrastructure is fully functional. To honor the anti-Japanese martyrs and ignite the patriotic fervor of future generations, as well as to fulfill its social service role in patriotic education, Tàihé Town constructed a Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine south of the Mǎ’ānshān Monument. The shrine houses the spirit tablets of 205 revolutionary martyrs and showcases the heroic spirit and immortal achievements of the Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Defense Battle. Below the western peak of Mǎ’ānshān, the Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall and Monument were built, with a total floor area of 400 square meters in a two-story, ring-corridor style structure. The monument is shaped like a “Type 38 Rifle,” standing 11.9 meters tall to symbolize the Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Defense Battle that took place on November 9, 1942. A former member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Minister of National Defense wrote the inscriptions “Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall” and “Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese War Monument” for the respective sites. Additionally, the mountain paths to the main peak, the battle command post, and the Heroic Stone Mill among other battle relics have been repaired, reinforced, and preserved. From May to August 2014, Tàihé Town commissioned professional teams to plan and renovate the exhibition facilities of the Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Site, laying a solid foundation for effective patriotic education.

The cultural relics and historical sites are well-preserved. The Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Site mainly conserves historical artifacts from the wartime period, including dugouts, command posts, the Heroic Stone Mill, and sections of the Qi Great Wall and Qi military camps. Professional teams were engaged to design and construct significant structures such as the Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese War Monument shaped like a “Type 38 Rifle,” the “One Family of Loyalty” statue, the “Majestic as the Mountains and Rivers” monument, and large cliff inscriptions. The “Tàihé Town Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Site Patriotic Education Base Movable Cultural Relics Management and Protection System” was also established and improved. Thorough and in-depth investigations and collections of cultural relics and historical materials were conducted. The CPC Zībó Municipal Committee’s Party History Materials Collection and Research Committee, through interviews with veterans and informed individuals, compiled the “Defense of Mǎ’ānshān.” Originally published in the second edition of the February 17, 1943 issue of the Masses Daily, the article “The Heroic Defense of Mǎ’ānshān” was featured. In 1994, the anti-Japanese drama “Ode to the Mountains and Rivers” was successfully filmed and released, producing high-quality historical research outcomes. In recent years, under the leadership and guidance of higher authorities, Tàihé Town has maximized the preservation of historical authenticity, architectural integrity, and cultural continuity through protection, development, restoration, and utilization.

The basic exhibits are scientifically and logically arranged. In 2014, with the help and support of higher authorities, the Tàihé Town Party Committee and Government commissioned Hebei Longxing Culture Display Media Co., Ltd. to carry out planning, design, and renovation work for the Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Site. The project, with a total investment of over one million yuan, involved the redesign and renovation of the internal exhibition facilities of the Mǎ’ānshān Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine and the Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall. The Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall adheres to a materialist view of history to reflect and document the events, highlighting the theme of the Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Defense Battle. The content is logically organized, focused, and clear, divided into four chapters: “Striking Unexpectedly, Capturing the Peak with Wit; Three Strict Fortifications, United as One; Fighting to the Death, Majestic as the Mountains and Rivers; The Names of the Martyrs, Eternal in the World,” chronicling the entire battle process. The exhibition hall is equipped with a set of audiovisual devices that play the anti-Japanese historical drama film “Ode to the Mountains and Rivers” on rotation. Based on the content of “Defense of Mǎ’ānshān” compiled by the CPC Zībó Municipal Committee’s Party History Materials Collection and Research Committee, the “Narration Script for the Defense of Mǎ’ānshān” was revised and improved, and specialized narrators were assigned. Through methods such as film screenings, battle narrations, and artistic performances, the educational experience has been enriched with a sense of the times and appeal, effectively fulfilling the role of the patriotic education base.

The site plays a significant role in thematic education. To thoroughly implement the spirit of the higher authorities’ “Patriotic Education Implementation Outline” and maximize the social education function of the Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Site Patriotic Education Base, the base has established a shared mechanism with surrounding schools and other organizations, regularly organizing visitation and learning activities. First, free access is provided to young students. During major holidays such as Qingming Festival and National Day, activities are organized for students to pay tribute to revolutionary martyrs, receive patriotic education, and inspire patriotic fervor in future generations. Second, red education is strongly emphasized. Activities such as the “Never Forget National Humiliation • Realize the Chinese Dream” theme campaign are highlighted. On major holidays like July 1st and National Day, singing competitions and artistic events commemorating the victory of the Anti-Japanese War are held at the foot of Mǎ’ānshān. During activities such as the Mass Line Education Practice and the “Three Stricts and Three Honests” thematic education, Party members, cadres, and young officials are organized to take oath ceremonies and visit anti-Japanese sites to receive patriotic education. Annually, the site receives around 30,000 visitors for patriotic education, effectively serving its role as an educational base.

In recent years, relying on its rich natural ecology and historical-cultural resources, Tàihé Town has emphasized red tourism themes. By integrating the use of the provincially protected Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Site, the Anti-Japanese War Monument, large cliff inscriptions written or inscribed by founding generals such as Liào Róngbiāo and Qián Jūn, as well as the inscription for the Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall (Monument) written by a General, the town has strengthened collaboration with the Great Wall Film and Television Culture Co., Ltd. Leveraging red tourism cultural resources, the town is developing a comprehensive cultural and creative park integrating cultural experiences, film production, and leisure vacations. Scientific and rational promotion of red cultural resources has effectively maximized the role of the patriotic education base.

Internal management is standardized and orderly. In response to practical needs, Tàihé Town has strengthened its workforce, timely adjusting and reinforcing the leadership group for the patriotic education base. The Deputy Secretary of the Town Party Committee serves as the group leader, with the Party Branch Secretary of the area serving as deputy leader. Resources and strengths from departments such as organization, militia, propaganda, youth league, women’s federation, civil affairs, and schools have been integrated. The youth league and women’s federation jointly formed a volunteer service team. To optimize the service window and improve service quality, specialized narrators have been assigned, and reception service systems and norms have been established, clearly defining service content, methods, and reception inquiries. Five regulations have been improved, including the Memorial Hall Management System, Staff Position Responsibility System, Basic Responsibilities for Patriotic Education, Decision-Making Supervision Mechanism, and Financial Management System, achieving institutionalized, standardized, and professional management.

Operational mechanisms are scientifically implemented. To strengthen the construction and management of the patriotic education base and maximize its social service function to promote widespread and in-depth patriotic education, higher authorities have fulfilled their responsibilities. During major commemorative events, they conduct on-site research and guidance. During the renovation and upgrading of exhibitions, leaders from the District Party Committee Propaganda Department and Civil Affairs Bureau held multiple coordination meetings and visited the construction site to address issues and challenges. To motivate staff enthusiasm and responsibility, Tàihé Town formulated the “Mǎ’ānshān Anti-Japanese Site Patriotic Education Base Work Evaluation Standards,” implementing a 100-point assessment system. Assessment results serve as important criteria for recognizing outstanding units and individuals. The “Policy Guarantee Mechanism” and “Free Access Guarantee Mechanism” have been improved to ensure the normal and standardized operation of the patriotic education base.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units