“September 18” Historical Museum – Reflecting on the Incident

September 18 Historical Museum

The “September 18” Historical Museum (“九·一八”历史博物馆), officially opened on September 18, 1999, is the only museum in China and the world dedicated to comprehensively reflecting on the history of the September 18 Incident. It was established in 1991 to mark the 60th anniversary of the event. The museum underwent expansion in 1997, building upon the original remnants and an underground exhibition hall.

Covering a total area of 35,000 square meters, the museum’s design resembles an open calendar, with the left side inscribed with the date September 18, 1931, and the right side detailing the sequence of events surrounding the incident. Inside, there are seven exhibition halls featuring over 800 photographs, more than 300 artifacts, and nearly 100 documents and archival materials. The museum also includes 19 scene displays, four sculptures, and more than 20 oil paintings and Chinese paintings, all aimed at revealing the truth behind the Japanese imperialism that led to the September 18 Incident and the heinous crimes committed in Northeast China.


Table of Contents


Basic Information

Estimated Length of Tour1 – 2 hours
Ticket PriceFree
Opening Hours9.00 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.30
Closed on Mondays
Telephone Number0086-024-88338981
0086-024-88331017

Location and Transportation

The September 18 Historical Museum is located at 54 Wanghua South Street, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:

Bus: Take bus 163, 212, 253, 298, 299, 325, 328, or 399 and get off at September 18 Historical Museum Stop (“九·一八”历史博物馆).

Metro: The closest metro station to the September 18 Historical Museum is Hezuo Street (合作街) on line 4 and line 10. After getting out of the station from Exit D, walk about 800 meters to the west to reach the attraction.


What is the September 18 Incident

The September 18 Incident, also known as the Mukden Incident or Liutiaohu Incident, refers to the sudden attack by the Japanese Kwantung Army on Shenyang in Northeast China on September 18, 1931. This event marked the beginning of Japan’s invasion of China and is considered the starting point of the Second Sino-Japanese War, symbolizing the onset of localized resistance within China.

On the night of September 18, 1931, the Japanese Kwantung Army, which was stationed in Northeast China, executed a meticulously planned conspiracy. They detonated explosives on the South Manchurian Railway near Liutiaohu, which had been constructed by the Japanese, and then falsely accused Chinese troops of the attack. Using this as a pretext, Japanese forces bombarded the Chinese Northeast Army stationed at Beidaying, leading to the shocking September 18 Incident that captured international attention.

The following day, Japanese forces occupied Shenyang and subsequently invaded the three northeastern provinces. By February 1932, all of Northeast China had fallen under Japanese control. Japan then established the puppet state of Manchukuo in Northeast China, beginning a period of 14 years of brutal oppression and colonial rule over the local population. More than 30 million people in Northeast China suffered the harsh realities of being subjected to foreign rule and oppression.


Exhibitions in “September 18” Historical Museum

September 18 Historical Museum 2

Entrance Hall: The entrance hall is an irregular square, with walls adorned with granite slabs, featuring reliefs of undulating white mountain ranges. Under the lighting, these white mountains reflect on the black marble floor, creating a seamless unity between the walls and the floor, evoking the magnificent scenery of the beautiful and rich Northeast region of China. At the center of the floor stands a pyramid-shaped bronze monument, topped with a red gemstone symbolizing the unyielding spirit of the nation and the enduring legacy of the heroic souls who resisted Japanese aggression.

Exhibition Hall One: This hall primarily introduces the historical background of the September 18 Incident.

September 18 Historical Museum 3

Exhibition Hall Two: This hall showcases the outbreak of the September 18 Incident and the subsequent fall of Northeast China. The invasion by the Japanese army brought immense suffering to the local population. After the region fell, many citizens, unable to endure the brutal killings and humiliation by the Japanese, were forced to leave their homes and embark on a journey of exile. A prominent sculpture titled “The Grief of Exile” reflects this theme, inspired by the famous song “On the Songhua River.” It depicts how the iron boots of the Japanese invaders trampled on the Northeast, forcing the local inhabitants to abandon their homes and live in hardship as refugees.

Exhibition Hall Three: This hall reveals the brutal rule of Japan over Northeast China.

Exhibition Hall Four: This hall highlights the anti-Japanese struggles of the people in Northeast China.

September 18 Historical Museum 1

Exhibition Hall Five: This hall presents the nationwide resistance against Japan, the liberation of Northeast China, and the eventual downfall of the Japanese invaders.

Exhibition Hall Six: This hall emphasizes the lessons learned from history, the hope for peace, and vigilance against the resurgence of Japanese militarism. A notable sculpture titled “The Monument of Gratitude to Chinese Foster Parents” depicts a humble Chinese farmer couple holding the hand of a lovely little boy, who is actually a Japanese child. When Japan was defeated in 1945, over 5,000 such Japanese orphans were abandoned in China, ranging in age from newborns to 13 years old. With no one to turn to, these children were taken in and raised by kind-hearted Chinese citizens, who offered compassion and care despite the hostilities of the past.


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Feel free to ask any question about this place ^_^x
enjoy the same discount as a Chinese