Zhazidong Prison
渣滓洞
A former coal-mine prison at the foot of Gele Mountain, near Wuling Temple. It is where Jiang Jiexian (Jiang Jie) was held in the novel *Red Rock*, and one of Chongqing’s most important revolutionary memorial sites.
Zhazidong lies at the foot of Gele Mountain in Shapingba District. It was originally a small coal mine, and its name refers to the small amount of coal and large amount of slag. From 1943, the Nationalist Military Statistics Bureau converted it into a detention center, where many revolutionary figures were held, including Jiang Zhuyun (Jiang Jie) and Xu Jianye. Just before the liberation of Chongqing, on November 27, 1949, the “11·27” Massacre took place here. Only a few prisoners escaped. The events became widely known through the novel *Red Rock* and the film *Immortal in the Flames*. The surviving men’s and women’s cells, the interrogation rooms, the exercise yard, and slogans painted on the walls form part of the Gele Mountain Martyrs’ Cemetery (Hongyan Spirit Exhibition Hall). Entry is free but requires an ID card or advance booking. Shuttle buses connect the site to Baigongguan and Hongyan Spirit Square, so the sites can be visited on the same day. Allow 1–1.5 hours, and in the afternoon, you can visit Ciqikou Ancient Town.
Opening hours
About 09:00–17:00 (check official information)
Nearby sights
- Baigongguan Prison
- Chongqing 1949 Theatre Show
- Ciqikou Ancient Town
- Hongyan Village Revolutionary Memorial
- Huayan Temple
- Fotuguan Park
- Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Street
- Liziba Monorail Station