The Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall

The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders (known as the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall) is one of the most important historical sites in China. Located on the site of a mass burial ground, the memorial commemorates the estimated 300,000 Chinese civilians and disarmed soldiers killed during the six-week occupation of Nanjing in 1937-1938.

Opened in 1985 and expanded several times since, the memorial complex covers over 28,000 square meters. The architecture is deliberately somber, with dark stone, angular shapes, and a design that evokes grief and reflection. The outdoor sculpture plaza features powerful bronze sculptures depicting the suffering of victims.

The museum contains extensive historical documentation, photographs, survivor testimonies, and artifacts from the massacre. The exhibition is presented in Chinese, English, and Japanese. The 'Walls of Names' display the known victims, while the skeletal remains of victims are preserved in a specially designed crypt.

The memorial's message extends beyond remembrance to promote peace and reconciliation. The Peace Park at the rear of the complex features sculptures representing international friends who helped protect Chinese civilians during the occupation.