Jiefangbei Monument

Historical Overview

Originally proposed in 1941 as a “Victory Arch,” construction began in 1946 using stones from the wartime ruins. The monument’s design, inspired by Roman triumphal arches, features a 4-meter-tall bronze statue of a soldier hoisting the Chinese flag. Key milestones include the 1949 reading of the “People’s Liberation Manifesto” at its base, the 1966 vandalism during the Cultural Revolution, and the 2013 restoration adding LED lighting. Today, it hosts the annual National Memorial Day ceremony and serves as a gathering point for New Year’s Eve countdowns.

Structural Layout

The monument sits at the intersection of five city axes, flanked by:Pedestrian Zone: A 30,000-square-meter plaza with interactive LED floors displaying wartime archives.

Memorial Hall: A subterranean museum showcasing artifacts like a 1942 air-raid siren and a reconstructed bomb shelter.

Commercial Zone: High-end malls (Gucci, Rolex) and street food stalls selling spicy “chongqingxiaomian.”

Cultural Corridor: Murals depicting the 1938–1944 Chongqing Bombing and a 1945 surrender document replica.

Observation Deck: A 25th-floor skywalk in the adjacent World Financial Center (tickets required).

Major Attractions

Victory Bell: Ring the 3-ton bronze bell (1945 replica) for good luck (9 AM–6 PM daily).

Wartime Tunnel: Crawl through a 50-meter recreation of the 1941 “Sixth Tunnel” air-raid shelter.

Sculpture Park: 12 bronze statues of wartime figures, including a nurse cradling an injured soldier.

Liberation Memorial Hall: Interactive exhibits on the Communist Party’s 1949 takeover of Chongqing.

Rooftop Beer Garden: Sample local craft brews while overlooking the monument at night.

AR Time Travel: Scan QR codes to view holograms of 1940s Chongqing (Memorial Hall entrance).

Suggested Itineraries

• History Buff Route (2–3 hours):

Memorial Hall (wartime artifacts) → Wartime Tunnel → Victory Bell → Liberation Memorial Hall → Rooftop Beer Garden (sunset).

Highlights: Immersive history and panoramic views.

• Family Route (4–5 hours):

Sculpture Park (statue selfies) → Pedestrian Zone (LED floor games) → Commercial Zone (shopping) → AR Time Travel → Dinner at “Hotpot Hero.”

Highlights: Kid-friendly tech and dining.

• Night Owls Route (6 hours):

Dusk: Memorial Hall → Victory Bell → Rooftop Beer Garden → Night: Pedestrian Zone (neon lights) → Late-night “chongqingxiaomian.”

Highlights: Evening ambiance and local cuisine.

Ticket Purchase

Free Access: The monument and plaza are open 24/7.

• Attraction Tickets:

Wartime Tunnel: ¥40/adult, ¥20/child.

Observation Deck: ¥80/adult, ¥50/child (includes World Financial Center access).

Memorial Hall: Free (identity card required).

Transportation

By Subway: Line 2 to Jiefangbei Station (Exit 1), 2-minute walk.

By Bus: Routes 402, 462, or 871 to “Jiefangbei Central Stop.”

By Taxi: Direct to “Jiefangbei Pedestrian Zone” (drivers familiar with the landmark).

By Cable Car: From Xiaoshizi Station to Yuzhong District (¥10/person, 5-minute ride).

Best Time & Tips

Avoid Crowds: Visit weekdays (Monday–Thursday) or 8–10 AM (before office crowds).

Weather: Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal; summers are hot but lively.

• Essentials:

Comfortable shoes (cobblestone plaza).

Portable fan (summer), umbrella (rainy season).

Cash for street vendors (some stalls don’t accept mobile payments).

Prohibited: Smoking outside designated zones, drones without permits.