Wanping City and the Museum of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression

By Katherin Hormigó Rubio, translated from the Spanish

While exploring Beijing, travelers may find it hard to envision the rich history, cultures, and traditions that the Chinese capital holds. The iconic structures and towering skyscrapers might distract visitors, blending the modern with the contemporary.

During our journey through the People's Republic of China, which started on August 18, we had the chance to explore history by visiting the Wanping Fortress. This fortress is situated in the southwest part of modern Beijing, approximately 15 kilometers from the city center, in the Fengtai district near the Lugou Bridge (also known as the Marco Polo Bridge).

In Wanping City, there is a centuries-old fortress constructed in 1638 by Wu Jun, a eunuch from the Ming Dynasty, which houses the Museum of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, established in 1987.

Situated near the site where Japanese aggression against the Chinese began, this museum provides a detailed exploration of a pivotal chapter in the nation's modern history.

The exhibition halls offer a comprehensive narrative of the Chinese people's 14-year resistance against Japanese aggression from 1931 to 1945. With a vast array of artifacts, photographs, documents, and interactive displays, visitors gain a clearer understanding of the war's impact on China and its people.

The scenes are both shocking and poignant, with each image depicting the resistance of the Chinese people, the brutality of the conflict, and the ultimate victory of peace. This space encourages reflection on the importance of peace and the horrors of war, making the museum highly significant for its visitors.

An exhibition to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory

September 3 marks the 80th anniversary of the triumph in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Anti-Fascist World War. As a result, this museum has organized an exhibition that has drawn over 600,000 visitors.

The thematic exhibition, covering the 14 years of resistance against Japanese aggression from 1931 to 1945, is organized into eight sections. It is displayed across two rooms—one above ground and the other below—spanning a total exhibition area of 12,200 square meters.

In total, more than 5,000 pieces are on display, including 1,525 photographs and 3,237 historical objects that present the history and spirit of the War of Resistance from multiple perspectives.

The museum as a whole illustrates how the Chinese people struggled for their survival, national rebirth, and a greater cause of justice for humanity.

Between 1931 and 1945, China suffered more than 35 million civilian and military casualties, in addition to economic losses of more than $100 billion.

This is the sole large-scale themed museum in China providing a complete overview of the history of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

From the museum to the Marco Polo Bridge

Amidst heavy rain, our next destination on this historical tour in Beijing was the Lugou Bridge, also known as the Marco Polo Bridge, situated just a short distance from the museum. This site was the location of the confrontation between China and Japan on July 7, 1937, referred to as the "Marco Polo Bridge Incident."

On that day in 1937, Japanese forces intentionally instigated the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. They bombarded Wanping and launched an assault on the Lugou Bridge. The 29th Army, the local Chinese garrison, rose up to resist, signaling the beginning of the national war of resistance against Japanese aggression.

The bridge, constructed over 800 years ago, spans more than 266.5 meters and features 11 arches. It has been protected by dozens of stone-carved lions since the Jin dynasty. The southern wall bears bullet marks, a silent testament that has persisted through the ages.

The Lugou Bridge, a memorial site marking the start of the national war of resistance against Japanese aggression, is part of the initial group of national key cultural relic protection units and the first batch of war memorial facilities and heritage sites nationwide. In 2021, it was added to the first batch of Beijing's list of immovable revolutionary cultural relics.

In Wanping City, the contemporary blends with the traditional, reflecting the past, present, and future of a nation committed to remembering its history.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC