Songshan Mountain in Longling County, Baoshan

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Longling County · Songshan Battlefield (龙陵县·松山抗战遗址): “The Gibraltar of the East” One-Day Guide

⚔️ Stand where history pivoted! At 2200m altitude, Songshan was the decisive battleground of Western Yunnan’s WWII resistance. From June 4th to September 7th, 1944, the Chinese Expeditionary Force sacrificed 7,773 heroes to annihilate 1,280 Japanese invaders, unlocking the liberation of Western Yunnan.

📍 Geographic Coordinates

• Dayakou Village (大垭口村), Lameng Town (腊勐镇), Longling County (龙陵县), Baoshan City (保山市), Yunnan.
• Distances: Longling County Town (32km), Baoshan City (110km), Tengchong (80km).
• 🚗 Navigation: Set GPS to “Songshan Battlefield Memorial Park” (松山大战遗址纪念园). Exit G56 Hangrui Expressway at Zhen’an → County Road 191 (30 min drive).

🚉 Getting There

• ✈️ By Air: Fly to Tengchong or Baoshan Airport → Rent a car: 1.5h from Tengchong / 1h 40min from Baoshan.
• 🚄 By Train: Bullet train to Baoshan Station (from Dali/Kunming) → Tourist shuttle or private car (1.5h).
• 🚗 By Car (Kunming): Kunming → G56 Hangrui Expy → Zhen’an Exit → County Rd 191 (550km, ~6h).
• 🆓 Free Shuttle: Memorial Park Parking Lot ↔ Visitor Center (Runs every 20 min).

🎯 Key Sights & Official Route (2.5 Hours)

1. Entrance
2. Visitor Center (Sand table + 15-min 4D film)
3. Chinese Expeditionary Force Sculpture Group (402 life-size bronze statues) ✨
4. Trench No. 1
5. Bunker No. 2
6. Japanese Power Station Ruins
7. “Mass Grave” Bomb Crater
8. Dayakou Main Position
9. Songshan Summit Victory Monument
10. Glass Viewing Platform (Overlooks Nujiang River Gorge) 🌄
11. Laogantang Memorial Plaza
12. Exit

• Trail Stats: 4.2 km total (wooden walkways + stone steps), 180m elevation change. Difficulty: ★★☆ (Moderate).
• 📱 Audio Guide: Scan QR codes via WeChat mini-program “Songshan Campaign” (auto-triggers at 20 points).
• 🚁 Drones: Permitted after registration (Police Station). Max height: 120m. Aerial views of “Trench Maze” are breathtaking!

🌟 Deep Experiences

• ✨ “Songshan: Memories of War” Immersive Night Tour (Weekends, July-Oct): Trench lighting + live reenactments. Ticket: ¥80.
• 🎓 Study Camp (1 Day): Wear replica uniforms, learn semaphore, simulate combat engineering. Requires 3-day advance booking (min. 30 people).
• 👴 Veteran Stories: Last Saturday each month – Hear firsthand accounts from children of Expeditionary Force veterans (90+ years old).
• 📸 Photo Contest: Held annually on September 7th (Victory Day). Categories: Drone & Macro photography.

ℹ️ Tickets & Services

• 🎫 Admission: FREE (Includes museum, sculptures, all ruins).
• 🅿️ Parking: Car ¥10 / Bus ¥20 (per entry).
• ⏰ Hours: 08:30-18:00 (Last entry 17:00). Night Tour: 19:30-21:30.
• 🍽️ Dining:
  • Exit: “Dayakou Farmhouse” – Try Songshan Bacon & Dendrobium Stewed Chicken.
  • Drive 10 min to Banglazhang Hot Spring Town (邦腊掌温泉小镇) for the symbolic “Victory Banquet”.
• 🛏️ Accommodation:
  • Songshan Inn (beside site): ¥120-260/night. Wake up to summit views.
  • Banglazhang Hot Spring Resort (12km away): ¥400-800/night. Soak in natural sulfur springs. ♨️

🗺️ Nearby Itineraries (1-2 Days)

• Day Trip: Morning at Songshan → Afternoon at Banglazhang Hot Springs → Overnight at hot spring hotel. ♨️
• 2-Day “History + Nature”: D1: Songshan → D2: Tengchong Martyrs’ Cemetery (国殇墓园) + Rehai Hot Springs (热海景区).
• 🚶‍♂️ Hiking Adventure: Songshan → Huitong Bridge (惠通桥) → Tiger’s Mouth (老虎嘴) section of Burma Road (12km). Guide required.

❗ Visitor Etiquette

• 🚫 No pets allowed within the battlefield site.
• 🚫 Do not climb on trench walls or fortifications.
• 🖼️ Respect history – Do not carve on sculptures or tombstones.
• 🌦️ Mountain weather changes rapidly – Bring rain gear, sun protection, and non-slip shoes.

💎 In a Nutshell

Walk the soil of Songshan, where every step traces craters and trenches from 80 years ago. As the wind whispers through the pines, this hard-won victory – paid for in blood – silently reminds us: “The mountains and rivers are at peace. It is our duty to carry this legacy forward.” 🇨🇳