Shapingba, Chongqing

A Solemn Echo from the Red Rock: Unveiling the History of Zhazidong Prison

📸Photography

Altitude

285m

Best Time

🌸 🍂

Ticket

Paid

ℹ️

About This Attraction

1.Zhazidong Prison: Site, located at the foot of Gele Mountain in Shapingba District, Chongqing, is a profound historical site that stands as a testament to the resilience and sacrifice of Chinese revolutionaries. Originally, this location was a small coal mine operated by a local named Cheng. It earned the name "Zhazidong" (Dregs Cave) because the coal produced here was of poor quality and contained a large amount of dregs. In 1939, the Kuomintang's secret police agency, Juntong (Military Statistics Bureau), coerced the mine owner to death and seized the property. Due to its concealed location—surrounded by mountains on three sides and a deep ditch on the other—it was converted into a secret prison,,.

2.Along with the nearby: Baigongguan, Zhazidong became one of the two major secret prisons in Southwest China used by the Kuomintang during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the subsequent Liberation War. The prison is divided into two distinct sections: the Inner Courtyard and the Outer Courtyard. The Outer Courtyard served as the office and living quarters for the prison guards and included the dreaded Interrogation Room. The Inner Courtyard was the confinement area, consisting of 16 male cells and 2 female cells. The conditions were notoriously harsh, dark, and damp. The prison walls still bear the menacing slogans used by the captors to intimidate the inmates, such as "Youth is gone forever, think carefully" and "Recognize this time and place, do not be obsessed",,.

Zhazidong is deeply connected to the famous novel Red Rock (Hongyan). Many of the characters in the book are based on real revolutionaries imprisoned here, most notably Jiang Zhuyun, widely known as "Sister Jiang." She and many others endured brutal torture in the interrogation room, where instruments like tiger benches, branding irons, and bamboo sticks were used, yet they refused to betray their beliefs. On November 27, 1949, just days before the liberation of Chongqing, the Kuomintang carried out a horrific massacre at this site, killing the majority of the prisoners. Only 15 people managed to escape during the chaos. Today, Zhazidong serves as a significant base for patriotic education and "Red Tourism," inviting visitors to walk through the somber cells, view the historical exhibits, and reflect on the "Red Rock Spirit" of unyielding faith and struggle,,,.

✨ Why Visit Zhazidong Prison Site

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The Interrogation Room

Witness the chilling display of torture instruments, including tiger benches and iron brands, which serve as a stark reminder of the brutality faced by the revolutionaries and their unwavering iron will,.

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Inner and Outer Courtyards

Explore the distinct layout of the prison, from the offices of the secret police in the Outer Courtyard to the cramped, dark cells in the Inner Courtyard where hundreds were imprisoned.

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Historic Wall Slogans

Read the original slogans painted on the walls, such as "Youth is gone forever," which were intended to break the prisoners' spirits but now stand as historical evidence of the psychological warfare used.

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Connection to "Sister Jiang"

Visit the actual site where legendary figures like Jiang Zhuyun (Sister Jiang) fought and suffered, bringing the stories from the classic novel Red Rock to life.

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November 27th Massacre Site

Pay respects at the site of the tragic massacre that occurred on the eve of Chongqing's liberation, a place of deep mourning and remembrance.

Location & Nearby

📍 Shapingba, Chongqing • 🏔️ 285m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Zhazidong Prison Site Travel Guide

Where is Zhazidong Prison Site located?

It is located at the foot of Gele Mountain in Shapingba District, Chongqing Municipality,.

What was Zhazidong originally? It was originally a small coal mine before being taken over by the Kuomintang secret police in 1939 and turned into a prison,.

What is the difference between the Inner and Outer Courtyards? The Outer Courtyard was used for offices and interrogation rooms for the guards, while the Inner Courtyard contained the actual prison cells for male and female inmates,.

Is there an entrance fee? (Based on general knowledge) The site is generally free to the public, but visitors usually need to make a reservation or register with their ID card.

How do I get there? You can take a bus to the Lie Shimu (Martyrs' Tomb) station and then transfer to a local shuttle or walk up the mountain. It is often visited as part of a route including Baigongguan and Ciqikou,.

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Zhazidong Prison Site?

We provide the original Chinese names and Pinyin to make your travel smoother. Since English is rarely spoken in remote parts of Western China, you can easily show these Chinese names to local taxi drivers, hotel staff, or police when asking for help, or copy-paste them directly into Chinese navigation apps like Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps.