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Also known as 'Port Arthur', it occupies
the west end of Dalian City and the south edge of the Liaodong
Peninsula, surrounded by sea on three sides. In this advantaged
geographical position, it is a beautiful tourist city zone with a
long history.
From the time of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), it
was of strategic military importance and up until the Liao Dynasty
(916-1125), it was known as Shizikou (Lion Port). It was during the
Ming Dynasty that it was given its present name 'Lushun', which
expresses a wish for 'plain sailing and a favorable voyage.' In 1894
during the Sino-Japanese War the Japanese army captured Lushun and
massacred many of its people. The area suffered again in 1904 when
it became a major battlefield during the Russo-Japanese War. Lushan
then endured Japanese rule for more than 40 years following the
surrender of the Russian forces. It was not until the Soviet Union
disarmed them in 1945, that Lushun was returned to motherland once
more. Through half a century, it came to earn recognition as an
'open air museum of historical and cultural scenery'.
Rich in natural resources as well as its historical
heritage, Lushun has become a National Key Scenic Spot, National
Nature Protection Area, and National Forest Park by virtue of its
now famous attractions. These fall into two categories namely, the
natural scenery and historical sites relating to the Sino-Japanese
War in 1894-1895:
Natural Sceneries
The Garden of Lions and Tigers
Covering an area of more than 300,000 square meters, it
has three separate sections: the garden of tigers, of lions and of
bears. The animals roam freely in their respective surroundings so
that visitors, from the safety of their cars, can get quite close to
them and enjoy a harmonious and breath-taking experience.
The Island of Snakes
This is a small island covering less than 2 square
kilometers (0.77 square mile), off the northwest coast of Lushun,
and is the home to over 1, 5000 snakes. Exotic rocks, luxuriant
forests and plants provide their natural environment, where they
prey on migratory birds for food. In Lushun, there is a snake museum
which in addition to exhibits is home to relevant research. This is
the prime Snake Eco-museum in Asia, and its hundreds of viper
specimens ensure plenty of excitement for visitors. Also, the
Snake-Island Natural History Museum is also well worth seeing.
The Bird Station
Opposite the Island of Snakes stands a volcano called 'Laotie
Hill', which is a stopping off spot for millions of migratory birds
that come there each spring and autumn. It is possible to see more
than 200 species of birds preparing for flight to and from warm
lands in the south depending upon the time of year. On the sea ward
side of the hill there are steep towering crags. Stepping on the
Century-Year Beacon, you can look over the boundary between the
Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea, where the water is half yellow and half
blue. Near the hill, there are important Neolithic sites.
Historical Sights
East Crest Hill (Jiguan Hill) was a battlefield during
Russo-Japanese War in 1904. It was here that the Russian army
established a strong fortress after Lushun became a territory leased
to Russia 1898. As the main feature on the hill, it houses the
Cultural Relic Protection Unit as well as being the patriotism
education base in Dalian. A museum was built in 1997 to display
historical materials of the war.
Lushun Museum
Originally built in 1917, the world-class museum covers
an area of 25,000 square meters (29,900 square yards) and is of a
stately, elegant European style. Over 100,000 cultural relics are
displayed in two themes: historical cultural relics and local
cultural relics. Among them, there are bronzes, ancient coins,
paintings and calligraphies, mummies, and some foreign relics.
White Jade Hill
A 130-meter-high (427-foot-high) hill standing in the
center of Lushun Region is the central scenic spot. The name 'white
jade' was given by Li Hongzhang, an influential official of Qing
Dynasty (1644-1911). Ascending the hill and knowing the opposite one
was called Gold Hill, he said gold should be associated with white
jade. Thus the name it was changed to the present one. Using forced
Chinese labor, the Japanese raised a tower on the crest of the hill
to commemorate Japanese soldiers who died in the war. The tower has
a height of 66.8 meters (219 feet) has become the evidence of their
historical crime. The Park of White Jade Hill includes the Naval
Weapon Museum, Bird Garden and Rock Museum.
World Peace Park
This seashore park was completed in 2002 with a theme
of psalms by world heads of states. In 1998, they each wrote a poem
in their mother tongue praying for world peace. These people
included the past Chinese President Jiang Zemin and American
President Clinton. The bronze statues of 96 heads of state and their
poems are carved as the major feature. There are also artworks and
fine stamps with the theme of peace presented by world countries.
Cemetery of Soviet Martyrs
With an area of 48,000 square meters (57,409.4 square
yards), the cemetery ranks as the largest for a foreign nation in
China. Here lie buried Soviet martyrs who fell during the war of
Liberation of Northeast of China and the War against US Aggression
in support of Korea, as well as those died in the Lushun garrison in
1945-1955. The cemetery is in the Soviet style of construction.
Memorial of Myriad Loyalists
This memorial was set up to commemorate the Chinese
people who died in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894. Upon their
invasion of Lushun and for four whole days Japanese forces
slaughtered nearly 20,000 unarmed common people of the city! Only 36
persons remained alive. To hide all evidence of their guilt, the
Japanese ordered local peasants to collect the bodies for cremation.
The ashes of the victims were buried at the eastern foot of White
Jade Hill. In 1896, after the Japanese retreat, corps of the Qing
Dynasty built the Stele of Myriad Loyalists. It is listed as one of
the National Patriotism Education Demonstration Bases.
A tip:
As an important military port in China, Lushun is not
completely open to foreign tourists. Foreign tourists are required
to obtain special permission from the local Lushun Police Bureau for
entry to Lushun in advance of their visit, otherwise they will be
refused.
Tour Dalian
with Great Wall Adventure Club, the best Dalian
tour agent to help
you with your hotel booking and transfers.
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