The former site of the Japanese Imperial Army’s Unit 731 (侵华日军第七三一部队旧址) stands as a haunting reminder of the horrific wartime atrocities committed during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Established in 1933, this infamous unit, initially known by various names, including the Ishii Unit and the Eastern Expeditionary Army’s Epidemic Prevention and Water Purification Department, engaged in gruesome human experimentation, animal testing, and the research and production of biological weapons.
By 1936, Unit 731 had set up a bacteriological weapons research and production base in Harbin, covering an area of 6.1 square kilometers designated as a special military zone. This site became the epicenter of Japan’s biological warfare program, where countless individuals were subjected to inhumane experiments involving frostbite, bacterial infections, and chemical weapons. The unit’s activities not only violated international treaties but also inflicted unspeakable suffering on its victims.
As the war drew to a close in August 1945, the unit destroyed much of its infrastructure to conceal its atrocities. Today, the remnants of the former site include 23 key locations, such as the headquarters, crematorium, frostbite laboratory, virus laboratory, and boiler house. This site represents the largest bacteriological weapons research and manufacturing base in history and serves as a crucial testament to Japan’s militaristic aggression and its disregard for human life.
Visitors to the site can reflect on the dark legacy of these events, gaining insight into the extent of wartime atrocities and the moral imperatives of remembering such history. The site has been preserved not only to honor the victims but also to educate future generations about the horrors of war and the importance of upholding human rights and international laws.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.00; Closed on Mondays |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0451-87108731 0086-0451-51747773 |
Location and Transportation
The former site of the Japanese Imperial Army’s Unit 731 is located at 47 Xinjiang Street, Pingfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 210 or 253 and get off at Unit 731 Crime Evidence Exhibition Hall Stop (七三一罪证陈列馆站).
Metro: The closest metro station to the museum is Xinjiang Avenue (新疆大道) on line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit 2, walk about 500 meters to the east to reach the attraction.
