Chongqing People's Liberation Monument

Chongqing People's Liberation Monument

The Chongqing People's Liberation Monument is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

After the full-scale outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Nationalist government relocated its capital to Chongqing. To mobilize the public for the anti-Japanese salvation effort, a monument-like structure named the "Spirit Fortress" (symbolizing the spirit of determined resistance) was erected on December 31, 1941, in the Duyou Street Square of central Chongqing. The fortress was a five-story wooden structure resembling a square watchtower, standing a total height of 7 zhang 7 chi (symbolizing the "July 7th" resistance), and was painted black to protect against Japanese air raids.

After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Chongqing decided to build the "Monument to the Victory of the War of Resistance" on the original site of the "Spirit Fortress," to commemorate the tremendous sacrifices made by both military and civilians nationwide for the war’s victory.

The "Monument to the Victory of the War of Resistance" was laid on October 31, 1946, construction began in December, and was completed in August 1947. It was entirely constructed from reinforced concrete, making it very sturdy. The monument stands 27.5 meters tall and features an octagonal columnar dome-shaped reinforced concrete structure.

On November 30, 1949, the People's Liberation Army captured Chongqing. The Southwest Military and Political Committee decided to renovate the "Monument to the Victory of the War of Resistance." The inscription was written by Liu Bocheng, Chairman of the Southwest Military and Political Committee, and the name was changed to the "People's Liberation Monument" (commonly referred to as Liberation Monument).

In May 2013, the Chongqing People's Liberation Monument was announced as part of the seventh group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further reading:

· Seventh Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units