Railway Guerrilla Memorial Park in Zaozhuang

Railway Guerrilla Memorial Park (铁道游击队纪念园) is located at the foot of Linshan (Lingshan) Mountain in Xuecheng District, Zaozhuang. Built to commemorate the Lunan Railway Guerrillas who fought during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, it is an important Red Tourism destination in southern Shandong.

The memorial park is built around a mountain park and consists of several major areas, including the Memorial Square, Railway Guerrilla Memorial Hall, General’s Inscription Corridor, Heroes’ Cemetery, and Railway Guerrilla Film and Television City. During the war, the Railway Guerrillas operated along the Jinpu Railway and around Weishan Lake, carrying out daring missions such as sabotaging trains, blowing up railway lines, and attacking Japanese forces. Their legendary exploits became widely known across China, while the song Play My Beloved Little Lute (Tan Qi Wo Xin Ai De Tu Pipa, 《弹起我心爱的土琵琶》) became a household classic associated with the Railway Guerrillas.

Today, the memorial park serves not only as a base for patriotic education and study tours, but also combines historical exhibition halls, a recreated Republican-era street district, and immersive live performances. From the higher sections of Linshan, visitors can enjoy expansive views toward Xuecheng’s urban area and the direction of Weishan Lake.

Main Highlights

Railway Guerrilla Memorial Monument

The Railway Guerrilla Memorial Monument stands on the main peak of Linshan and rises 33 meters high. Its overall form resembles a sharp sword, while a bronze statue of a guerrilla fighter charging forward with a rifle stands at the top. Relief sculptures around the base depict scenes from the guerrillas’ combat and daily life, making the monument one of the park’s most iconic outdoor landmarks.

The viewing platform around the monument offers broad views over the surrounding city and distant mountains, making it the central location for paying tribute and remembering the wartime heroes.

Railway Guerrilla Memorial Hall

The Railway Guerrilla Memorial Hall is designed in the shape of a steam locomotive, giving the building a highly distinctive appearance. Inside, visitors can see a large collection of wartime artifacts, weapons and equipment, historical photographs, letters, and archival documents. Recreated scenes depict famous episodes such as the guerrillas’ daring train raids and railway warfare.

A dynamic sand-table model demonstrates the combat routes and operational areas along the Lunan railway network, while a 4D cinema and immersive multimedia exhibitions recreate the difficult wartime years of the Railway Guerrillas and their resistance against the Japanese forces. A genuine old railway carriage is also displayed inside the museum, adding a strong sense of realism to the experience.

General’s Inscription Corridor and Heroes’ Cemetery

The General’s Inscription Corridor preserves numerous stone inscriptions bearing calligraphy and inscriptions by founding generals of the People’s Republic of China, with a powerful and solemn artistic style. The Heroes’ Cemetery contains the graves of some of the Railway Guerrillas who died during the war. Its quiet and dignified surroundings make it a suitable place to pause and pay respects to the fallen heroes.

Several viewing pavilions are scattered throughout the mountain, surrounded by greenery and woodland. The relatively gentle hiking paths also make the mountain area suitable for a leisurely climb and enjoying the scenery.

Railway Guerrilla Film and Television City

Located next to the main memorial area, the Railway Guerrilla Film and Television City recreates the streets and architectural atmosphere of old Lincheng during the Republican period. Famous scenes from the television and film productions are reproduced here, including Zheng Tai Foreign Firm, Yi He Coal Yard, and Fanglin Sister-in-Law Tea House. The gray-tiled roofs, brick buildings, and old-fashioned streets create a strong Republican-era atmosphere.

Large-scale outdoor performances themed around the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression are staged here, featuring special effects such as explosions and train raids. Performances are held at fixed times, so visitors should check the schedule in advance.

Visitors can also try on Republican-era costumes and participate in immersive Red Tourism experiences. The film and television city is particularly suitable for photography, family activities, and educational tours. Separate admission is required for this area.

Travel Tips: The Memorial Square, Memorial Monument, and Memorial Hall are free to visit. The Memorial Hall is closed on Mondays except during statutory holidays. The Film and Television City, live performances, guided tours, and costume rental experiences require additional payment. Flash photography is prohibited inside the exhibition halls. There are numerous steps and slopes in the mountain area, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Live performances at the Film and Television City are generally suspended on Mondays; check the performance schedule before your visit. The Memorial Hall stops admitting visitors at 16:00, so plan your itinerary accordingly.

Tickets and Reservations

The Memorial Square, Memorial Monument, and Memorial Hall are free of charge, with visitors required to present a valid ID card when entering the Memorial Hall.

The Railway Guerrilla Film and Television City charges RMB 40 for adults. Students and seniors aged 60–69 can receive discounted admission with valid identification, while seniors aged 70 and above, military personnel, and visitors with disabilities can enter the Film and Television City free of charge according to applicable policies.

Opening hours: The memorial park is open from 08:30 to 17:30. The Memorial Hall is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:00, and is closed on Mondays except statutory holidays. The Film and Television City is open from 08:30 to 17:30. Online reservations can be made through the official WeChat account, although advance reservation is not mandatory.

A large free parking area is available at the scenic area, with ample parking spaces.

Best Time to Visit

The memorial park can be visited year-round, while spring and autumn are particularly comfortable for hiking. Visiting only the Memorial Monument and Memorial Hall takes approximately 1.5–2 hours. If you also visit the Film and Television City and watch the live performances, allow around 3–4 hours for a more complete experience.

The park can be combined with Taierzhuang Ancient Town and the Taierzhuang Battle Memorial Hall to create a two-day Red Tourism and cultural heritage itinerary in southern Shandong.

Climate Guide

Xuecheng has a warm temperate monsoon climate. Summer temperatures from June to August generally range from 22°C to 32°C; autumn from September to November ranges from 12°C to 23°C; winter from December to February ranges from -3°C to 7°C; and spring from March to May ranges from 8°C to 22°C. Winds on the mountain are generally slightly stronger than in the urban area.

How to Get There

By car: Navigate to Railway Guerrilla Memorial Park (Linshan Park) in Xuecheng District, Zaozhuang.

By high-speed rail: From Zaozhuang Railway Station, a taxi takes approximately 10–15 minutes to reach the memorial park. Within the city, visitors can take BRT-B1, Bus No. 2, or Bus No. 3 to nearby stops and walk to the park.

Recommended Touring Route

Start from the Memorial Square and walk uphill to the Railway Guerrilla Memorial Monument → descend to visit the Railway Guerrilla Memorial Hall and explore its historical exhibitions and multimedia displays → continue to the General’s Inscription Corridor and Heroes’ Cemetery → if time permits, visit the Railway Guerrilla Film and Television City, stroll through its recreated Republican-era streets, and watch a scheduled live performance.

For a broader Shandong itinerary, combine Railway Guerrilla Memorial Park with Taierzhuang Ancient Town and the Taierzhuang Battle Memorial Hall to create a southern Shandong Red Tourism and cultural heritage route.

Accommodation

The memorial park is located within Xuecheng’s urban area, where there is a wide range of hotels and guesthouses. Its location also provides convenient transportation to Taierzhuang, making it practical to use Xuecheng as a base for exploring the surrounding attractions. Advance booking is recommended during public holidays.

Navigation

Railway Guerrilla Memorial Park, Linshan Park, Taishan Middle Road, Xuecheng District, Zaozhuang, Shandong

Best Photography Spots

Recommended photography locations include the bronze statue atop the Railway Guerrilla Memorial Monument, the steam-train-shaped Memorial Hall, the authentic old railway carriage, and the Republican-era streets of the Railway Guerrilla Film and Television City.