Lüshun Port - Fortified Harbor
The fortified harbor designed by the Chinese viceroy Li Hung Chang (d. 1901) was captured in 1894 by the Japanese during the Sino-Japanese war, but under the terms of a somewhat dubious 25-year leasing contract it was handed over to Russia in 1898, only to be recaptured by the Japanese in 1904 after a stubborn siege, an act which triggered off the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-05.
On February 8th 1904 the Japanese Admiral Togo successfully attacked the Russian fleet which was lying in the roads off Port Arthur.
On February 8th 1904 the Japanese Admiral Togo successfully attacked the Russian fleet which was lying in the roads off Port Arthur.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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An attack by the Russian ships on April 13th 1904 was repulsed; the flagship ''Petropavlovsk'', with Admiral Makarov on board, hit a mine and sank.
After the Russians (under General Stîssel) had lost the battle near Chinchou on May 26th 1904 the Japanese (under General Nogi) surrounded the as yet unfinished fort defended by Stîssel and began the attack on August 8th 1904. On August 9th 1904 Takunchan Hill (212m/696ft above sea level; to the east) was taken and from there the Russian fleet was subjected to heavy fire until it fled the harbor and was eventually defeated. By November 2nd the beleaguered garrison was forced back to its main line of defense, although the attacking armies had suffered heavy losses - in the attack on Fort Panluchan to the northeast on August 19th 1904 they lost some 15,000 men. The Japanese then changed to mine-warfare, and on November 26th 1904 tried to storm the defenses but were repelled and lost some 9000 soldiers in the attempt. On December 5th 1904, after a bombardment lasting several days, the Japanese finally succeeded in taking the key Russian position on High Mountain (203m/666ft); to the northwest); by then their losses had been estimated at 12,000 men. On December 15th the Russian General Kondrakento fell while defending Fort Kikwanschan. After losing Fort Erlungschan and Fort Sungsuchan in the northeast the Russians evacuated the northern front. On January 1st 1905 General Stîssel offered to surrender, and this was signed the next day. In the battles for Port Arthur the Russians are thought to have lost about 50,000 men (including 25,000 prisoners), while the total Japanese losses were some 70,000.
In Lüshun, where quite a lot of Colonial-style houses have been preserved, there is a Museum of History and Culture in which are displayed archaeological finds from the surrounding countryside.
Near the harbor quarter, on the way up to Bay Yu Hill (with splendid views), the visitor will find the Wan Zhong Mu Martyry (Tomb of the 10,000 Faithful), which contains the ashes of those Chinese who fell in the Sino-Japanese war of 1894-95, when the Japanese marched into Lüshun on November 21st 1894.
After the Russians (under General Stîssel) had lost the battle near Chinchou on May 26th 1904 the Japanese (under General Nogi) surrounded the as yet unfinished fort defended by Stîssel and began the attack on August 8th 1904. On August 9th 1904 Takunchan Hill (212m/696ft above sea level; to the east) was taken and from there the Russian fleet was subjected to heavy fire until it fled the harbor and was eventually defeated. By November 2nd the beleaguered garrison was forced back to its main line of defense, although the attacking armies had suffered heavy losses - in the attack on Fort Panluchan to the northeast on August 19th 1904 they lost some 15,000 men. The Japanese then changed to mine-warfare, and on November 26th 1904 tried to storm the defenses but were repelled and lost some 9000 soldiers in the attempt. On December 5th 1904, after a bombardment lasting several days, the Japanese finally succeeded in taking the key Russian position on High Mountain (203m/666ft); to the northwest); by then their losses had been estimated at 12,000 men. On December 15th the Russian General Kondrakento fell while defending Fort Kikwanschan. After losing Fort Erlungschan and Fort Sungsuchan in the northeast the Russians evacuated the northern front. On January 1st 1905 General Stîssel offered to surrender, and this was signed the next day. In the battles for Port Arthur the Russians are thought to have lost about 50,000 men (including 25,000 prisoners), while the total Japanese losses were some 70,000.
In Lüshun, where quite a lot of Colonial-style houses have been preserved, there is a Museum of History and Culture in which are displayed archaeological finds from the surrounding countryside.
Near the harbor quarter, on the way up to Bay Yu Hill (with splendid views), the visitor will find the Wan Zhong Mu Martyry (Tomb of the 10,000 Faithful), which contains the ashes of those Chinese who fell in the Sino-Japanese war of 1894-95, when the Japanese marched into Lüshun on November 21st 1894.
