Zhazidong
Zhazidong Prison Site, a former Kuomintang detention camp, stands as a somber memorial to the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) martyrs during the Second Sino-Japanese War and Chinese Civil War. Originally a coal mine, it was repurposed in 1943 by the Kuomintang to imprison over 1,000 revolutionaries, including young activists of the “11·27 Massacre.” Designated a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit in 1980, it now houses a museum with artifacts, letters, and interactive exhibits honoring China’s revolutionary spirit.
Historical Overview
Established in 1943 as a secret political prison, Zhazidong became notorious for torturing CPC members under Dai Li’s Military Statistics Bureau. Its prisoners included Jiang Jie (Jiang Xijuan), whose prison diary inspired the 1965 opera The Red Detachment of Women. The site’s darkest hour came on November 27, 1949, when Kuomintang forces executed 180 inmates days before Chongqing’s liberation. Post-1949, it served as a memorial, with key events including the 1985 unveiling of the “11·27” monument and 2016’s augmented reality (AR) exhibit on prisoner resistance.
Structural Layout
The site’s 2.5-hectare area includes:Prison Blocks (A–F): Reconstructed 1940s-style cells with barred windows and straw mattresses.
Courtyard: Original watchtowers and a “Tiger Bench” torture device display.
Memorial Hall: Three floors chronicling the resistance through letters, shackles, and a 1949 Liberation Diorama.
Martyrs’ Cemetery: Burial site for 11·27 victims, flanked by 200 pine trees symbolizing eternal life.
Major Attractions
Jiang Jie’s Cell: Replica of her 1.8m² cell with her handwritten poem “To Live Is to Revolt” carved into the wall.
Torture Instruments Exhibition: Rusted chains, electroshock devices, and a replica “Water Cave” dungeon.
Secret Radio Room: AR reconstruction of inmates broadcasting news via hidden transmitters.
Liberation Diorama: Life-sized figures depicting the 1949 raid by the People’s Liberation Army.
Martyrs’ Gallery: Portraits and biographies of 300 prisoners, including 16-year-old Li Qinglin.
Oath Wall: Visitors leave messages on digital tablets projecting onto a 10m-wide mural of the CPC flag.
Suggested Itineraries
Classic Route (1.5 hrs): Entrance → Prison Block A → Courtyard → Memorial Hall → Martyrs’ Cemetery.
Deep Dive (2.5 hrs): Prison Blocks B–F → Torture Exhibition → Secret Radio Room → Oath Wall.
Educational Tour (3.5 hrs): Combine routes 1–2 with a 10 AM guided lecture (English available at 11 AM).
Ticket Purchase
Online: Free entry; book via official WeChat “红岩联线” (Hongyan United Front) up to 7 days in advance.
On-Site: Scan QR codes for instant admission (queues peak 9–11 AM).
Prices: Free; AR headsets ¥20/hour (¥10 students).
Transportation
Subway: Line 1, Lianglukou Station (Exit 3), transfer to Bus 215 or 808.
Bus: Routes 209, 215, 217, 234, 248, or 805 to Zhazidong Stop.
Taxi: Direct to “渣滓洞监狱旧址” (Zhazidong Jianyu Jiuzhi); avoid rush hour (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM).
Self-Drive: Parking available (¥5/hour; free for electric vehicles).
Best Time & Tips
Avoid Crowds: Visit Monday–Thursday (weekends host 40% more tourists).
Weather: Indoor exhibits suitable year-round; courtyard best in spring/fall.
- Essentials:
Bring ID for free tickets.
Use free Wi-Fi for audio guides (English/Chinese).
Respectful attire required (no tank tops/shorts).
Prohibited: Smoking, loud voices, and flash photography in galleries.
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