Southern Taiwan - Taiwan - page 468

Not much of the fort remains today, but look out for 12 column-shaped Japanese
tombs, collectively known as the Tombs of the Anping Military Porters (Ānpíng Shí'èr
Jūnfū Mù), among the sea of Chinese-style graves. This is the final resting place of
12 Anpingers who were conscripted as military porters by the Japanese and died in
battle in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). More than 400
conscripts, mostly in their 20s, were recruited from Anping. Most of them thought
that it was just an unskilled labourer's job with a higher pay; it's only when they
boarded the boat to Shanghai that they realised they were going to the front line.
The youngest victim among the 12 buried in Anping was only 17, while the oldest
was in his 40s. Five of them are honoured at the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in
Tokyo, which marks Japan's WWII dead, including convicted war criminals.
The tombs are quite close to the roadside; a large information panel stands in
front of them.
Activities
Anping has lots of flat, open areas and pavements, so walking or cycling are both good
ways to get around. A riverside bike path runs west coastwards, where you can continue
north through Taijiang National Park or south along the Taiwan Strait and into the har-
bour area.
Bikes can be rented from the Tainan City program at Anping Fort, Eternal Golden
Castle and Anping Tree House.
Tours
Taiwan Eco Tours NATURE TOUR
( www.taiwanecotours.com ) Richard, a Tainan-based guide, offers custom-made tours out-
side the city, with a focus on hiking, flora and fauna.