Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Ordnance Industry Heritage Sites

Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Ordnance Industry Heritage Sites

The Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Ordnance Industry Heritage Sites are listed as Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Ordnance Industry Heritage Sites

The "Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Ordnance Industry Heritage Sites" were the wartime ordnance production bases centered around Chongqing. These historical sites supported the prolonged resistance efforts and contributed to the economic development and ordnance talent cultivation in the southwestern rear area. The nominated heritage group represents the ordnance industry sites among the existing anti-Japanese war relics in Chongqing. The ordnance industry evolved alongside other industries and technological advancements, while also playing a leading and catalytic role in industrial progress and scientific innovation.

It is reported that part of the former workshop site of the 21st Arsenal is located in the Hongsheng Village area of Tiaodeng Town. The site of the 29th Arsenal is situated in the old Chongqing Iron and Steel plant area in Dadukou District, covering approximately 5 square kilometers. The site preserves one 1938-built forging workshop, the original factory office building (Red Building), the original high-line mill office building (Western-style small building), steelmaking workshops from the 1950s, medium plate mills from the 1960s, large-span workshops, medium rolling mills, large rolling mills, an 8,000-horsepower steam engine, three tall chimneys, one residential building in Yugang Village, the former traffic police guesthouse, air-raid shelters, alarm towers, a steam locomotive, a set of blast furnaces from the ironworks, a section of coke ovens, a 50,000-cubic-meter gas storage tank, parts of railway lines, and related facilities and equipment. The plant was first established in 1890 under the name Hanyang Iron Works. After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, to preserve the nation’s industrial base, it was relocated to Chongqing in 1938. During the war, the plant built raw material production facilities to supply steel for weapon manufacturing by various arsenals, with its steel output once accounting for 90% of the total steel production in the wartime rear area. In 2009, it was listed as a Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Heritage Site under cultural relic protection.

In May 2013, the Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Ordnance Industry Heritage Sites were designated as part of the seventh group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level