Fanggai Ridge Battle Site

Fanggai Ridge Battle Site

The Fanggai Ridge Battle Site is located on the north side of Qishi Village in Qishi Town, along the Dongjiang Riverbank in the area now stretching from Wong Tai Sin Park to Golden Coast Sports Corridor. GPS coordinates: 23°05'01.6", 114°00'32.1", at an elevation of 12 meters.

On October 21, 1938, over 300 Japanese soldiers traveled downstream along the Dongjiang River in seven wooden boats from Huizhou. After entering Qishi territory, the Japanese troops killed villagers along the riverbanks, sparking outrage. Around 3 p.m. that afternoon, local villagers including Yao Yaqv, Huang Manqiu, and Huang Yanxiang organized a group of more than 200 people to intercept the Japanese forces on the river near Baigu Mountain in Qishi Village. At that time, a platoon leader from a company of the 153rd Regiment of the Nationalist Army stationed at Changhe Market’s Wufen Temple volunteered to lead over 20 soldiers to join the battle. Around 5 p.m., two Japanese boats broke through the encirclement and headed downstream. Villagers sank one boat, while the other was forced to land downstream of Fanggai Ridge. Over 30 Japanese soldiers rushed up Fanggai Ridge to seize the high ground. The Nationalist platoon leader ordered some troops to cover the villagers’ retreat, while he led around ten men to engage the Japanese in a fierce fight for control of the ridge. The battle raged until around 7 p.m., when the Japanese took control of Fanggai Ridge. Eight Nationalist soldiers died on the ridge, one was injured and fell down the hillside to escape, and three officers, including the platoon leader, were captured and later executed the next day.

In this battle, three Japanese boats were sunk, 16 Japanese soldiers were killed on Fanggai Ridge, and the number of Japanese soldiers killed on the boats or drowned when their boats sank is unaccounted for. A number of firearms and military supplies were seized. The Nationalist forces suffered 11 deaths, one villager died from severe injuries, and six others were wounded.

The once winding section of the Dongjiang River between Fanggai Ridge and Baigu Mountain, where villagers intercepted the Japanese, has since been filled in and converted into Dongjiang Avenue.

Qishi Village: Located along the Dongjiang River with the Dongyin River running through it, Qishi Village covers a total area of 0.9 square kilometers, has a resident population of 1,298, and hosts 20 factories and enterprises. The village boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, known for the famous “Baigu Mountain” story and the widely celebrated tale of the Fanggai Ridge anti-Japanese resistance involving both soldiers and civilians. Every year on the 20th day of the first lunar month, families in Qishi make large longevity peaches as part of blessings, and these peaches are also one of the “Three Treasures” of Qishi Town cuisine.

Qishi Village is committed to urban development, continuously increasing investment to improve the village's environment and enhance municipal functions. It is accelerating the development of commerce... For more details about Qishi Village++