Tourist route traces historical role in War of Resistance

Shenyang has developed a themed tourism route related to the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) to make it a highlight of the city’s culture and a new engine of economic growth.

The tourism route integrates Shenyang’s rich historical and culture resources.

It combines exhibitions, education and tourism to create a unique cultural brand and promote brand popularity and influence worldwide.

Last year, the Ministry of Education revised school textbooks concerning the period length of the country’s fight against Japanese aggression from eight to 14 years.

In the revised version, the start of the war began on Sept 18, 1931, when Japanese troops blew up a railway section in Shenyang and attacked the Chinese garrison quartered in the city, marking the beginning of its aggression in China’s northeastern region.

Song Zhenhong, deputy director of the Shenyang bureau of culture, radio, television, press and publication, said Shenyang witnessed both the start of the 14-year struggle against the invading Japanese forces and the final victory against them in 1945, which means there are a variety of heritage sites and cultural resources, including 49 Marshal Zhang’s Mansion Museum

stands on a key cultural relic protection site — Zhang’s Residence site in Shenyang, the capital of China’s Liaoning province. Owned by former army marshal Zhang Zuolin and his son Zhang Xueliang, the museum was founded in 1914 and is a national 4A tourist attraction.

cultural relics and about 10 national cultural facilities and museums, dedicated to that period in Chinese history.

The Shenyang War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression tourism route starts from the 9.18 Historical Museum and takes in another 11 themed memorial halls and museums, such as the Li Zhaolin (191046) General Memorial Hall and Marshal Zhang’s Mansion Museum, the former residence of Zhang Zuolin (1875–1928) and his son Zhang Xueliang (1901-2001), who controlled Northeast China in the 1920s.

The Shenyang government information office announced that the route was launched on May 18, International Museum Day 2017.

With the theme “Museums and contested histories: saying the unspeakable in museums” this year’s International Museum Day encouraged museums to play an active role in peacefully addressing traumatic events in history through mediation and multiple views.

The International Council of Museums founded in 1977 initiated International Museum Day. The Paris-based organization aims to increase public awareness of the museums and has gained growing influence worldwide, attracting more than 35,000 museums in 145 countries and regions last year.

A picturesque winter view in Shengyang.