Monument to the "Departure Point of the Eighth Route Army's Crossing to the Northeast"

Monument to the "Departure Point of the Eighth Route Army's Crossing to the Northeast"

The Monument to the "Departure Point of the Eighth Route Army's Crossing to the Northeast," completed and unveiled in May 2010, is located on the beach of Beiwangxu Village, Beigou Town. Facing northeast, it echoes the Landing Site Monument on the opposite shore in Zhuanghe, Dalian. The site includes a thematic sculpture and a memorial square. The main sculpture is 11.6 meters long, 15 meters high, and stands at an elevation of 19.45 meters, commemorating the glorious history of the Eighth Route Army soldiers who were ordered to cross the sea and secure victory in the Northeast in 1945.

The main body of the monument is made from stainless steel, bronze, and black marble. Two stainless steel sails rise like steel blades toward the sky, vividly symbolizing the heroic and unstoppable fighting spirit of the Eighth Route Army as they battled waves and moved forward bravely. The figures in the thematic sculpture are cast in bronze, powerfully representing the iron will of the soldiers. Using realistic techniques, seven Eighth Route Army soldiers are depicted charging forward — some shouting commands, some pointing directions, others adjusting sails and rowing oars — vividly expressing their unity, determination, and courage. The seven figures represent the seven columns of the Northeast Field Army, which were formed from Shandong troops and fought across the Northeast. The base is constructed from black granite, using various artistic methods to depict the surging, turbulent ocean, further highlighting the fearless revolutionary spirit of the soldiers as they dared to overcome insurmountable obstacles. The memorial square covers an area of over 60,000 square meters and is surrounded by lush pines and cypresses, symbolizing the more than 60,000 Eighth Route Army soldiers who valiantly fought after heading to the Northeast.

Luanjiakou Port, as a key crossing point to the Northeast, played a significant role in the history of China’s Liberation War. As a veteran of the sea crossing operations to the Northeast, a former General and member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, Secretariat, and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, advocated for the establishment of the "Monument to the Departure Point of the Eighth Route Army's Crossing to the Northeast" in Penglai, Yantai, to correspond with the Landing Site Monument already built in Zhuanghe, Dalian. In response, the local Party committees and governments of Penglai and Penglai District attached great importance to the project. After approval from the Shandong Provincial Government, the CPC Central Committee, and the State Council, the "Monument to the Departure Point of the Eighth Route Army's Crossing to the Northeast" was constructed in Penglai City to honor the heroes who made outstanding contributions during the People's Liberation War and the founding of New China.