Explore historical memories in Shandong district

Many historical and cultural heritage sites in the Kuiwen district of Weifang, Shandong province, exemplify the exchange between Eastern and Western cultures, reflect Weifang's rich and inclusive regional culture, and embody the Chinese people's love for peace.

One notable historical site is the Weihsien West Civilians Concentration Camp Site Museum, originally known as Ledaoyuan (Courtyard of the Happy Way), Weifang's first peace-related site established by an American missionary in 1882. 

The Weihsien West Civilians Concentration Camp Site Museum. [Photo by Li Chenfei and Guo Yunhan for chinadaily.com.cn]

In 1942, the Japanese army occupied the site and a nearby school, creating the Weihsien concentration camp, which detained over 2,000 Western expatriates. At its peak, it was the largest internment camp for Allied nationals in Asia. Much of the original structure of the site remains intact today, serving as a poignant reminder of the horrors of war.

There are also a lot of valuable artifacts and historical records from the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and World War II preserved in the museum, highlighting the spirit of international solidarity and mutual support in the face of formidable adversity.

Weifang celebrates the third anniversary of its designation as an International City of Peace. [Photo by Li Chenfei and Jiang Yuansheng for chinadaily.com.cn]

In 2021, Weifang was named China's second International City of Peace after Nanjing. This designation underscores Weifang's openness, inclusivity, and dedication to peace. (Edited by Du Xiaping)