Flying Tiger Heritage Park
Flying Tiger Heritage Park
3.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
8 reviews
Excellent
2
Very good
2
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
1
YSMajor
Shanghai, China1 contribution
Jul 2017 • Family
I'm a partial resident in Guilin but a complete Flying Tiger and aviation enthusiast. Today I finally managed to get out to the museum, and it was a refreshing and valuable visit. To be fair, I had low expectations, as I know the museum is not yet fully finished and the collection is still small and in progress.
A highlight was for sure the command cave, and C-47 parked outside. The building was bigger than I thought, and had interesting information especially on detailed registers of certain army movements and staff names. I liked the Chinese staff background a lot and the info on Mme Chennault. Also there were more pictures of CBI aircraft different from the usual P-40's, and there was a worthy mention of the B-24 crew that perished on Mao'er Shan not too far from here.
A big ommision in my view was info on the communications and early warning system in China using radio and other communication tools to give early warning to the Flying Tigers allowing them to climb up in time for their famous style of attacks. Also this part of aerial combat tactics was not mentioned in detail. There was some mention of the enemy, and the info on the Japanese ground attacks was good (though the Ichi-go campaign was not mentioned by name). However, the info on the Japanese planes was scant, and covered only the Type 96 and Type 95 fighter bombers. Really there should be a clearer time-line of development in troop movements and weaponry used along the way.
There was some unclear and random information as well, which could be cleared up quickly with some illuminating signs. Such as the windows of a corridor looking out on the Himalayas, obviously referring to the journey of the C-47 over the Hump. However, for many guests this is not obvious. The Hump in general was not mentioned enough in my opinion, so I hope this will be more prominent in future exhibition developments. Most photos were good and well described (though I spotted a P-51 mistakenly called a P-40...). The models however were really disappointing. 2 derelict plastic P-40 models with obvious missing parts were thrown in a plastic box with a decent looking metal model. I might take it on myself to give a proper P-40 model to the museum, as this did not do the plane justice (My 5-year old liked it though). There also was not a shop yet, which actually was refreshing in the Guilin tourism racket.
Anyway, this is a museum in development. There was no door charge and we could simply go in and look around. There was no shop yet, and no tour groups yet, and I think this place has tremendous potential to becoming an awesome museum to recommend to fellow aviationists. I definitely recommend it to anyone in the area!
A highlight was for sure the command cave, and C-47 parked outside. The building was bigger than I thought, and had interesting information especially on detailed registers of certain army movements and staff names. I liked the Chinese staff background a lot and the info on Mme Chennault. Also there were more pictures of CBI aircraft different from the usual P-40's, and there was a worthy mention of the B-24 crew that perished on Mao'er Shan not too far from here.
A big ommision in my view was info on the communications and early warning system in China using radio and other communication tools to give early warning to the Flying Tigers allowing them to climb up in time for their famous style of attacks. Also this part of aerial combat tactics was not mentioned in detail. There was some mention of the enemy, and the info on the Japanese ground attacks was good (though the Ichi-go campaign was not mentioned by name). However, the info on the Japanese planes was scant, and covered only the Type 96 and Type 95 fighter bombers. Really there should be a clearer time-line of development in troop movements and weaponry used along the way.
There was some unclear and random information as well, which could be cleared up quickly with some illuminating signs. Such as the windows of a corridor looking out on the Himalayas, obviously referring to the journey of the C-47 over the Hump. However, for many guests this is not obvious. The Hump in general was not mentioned enough in my opinion, so I hope this will be more prominent in future exhibition developments. Most photos were good and well described (though I spotted a P-51 mistakenly called a P-40...). The models however were really disappointing. 2 derelict plastic P-40 models with obvious missing parts were thrown in a plastic box with a decent looking metal model. I might take it on myself to give a proper P-40 model to the museum, as this did not do the plane justice (My 5-year old liked it though). There also was not a shop yet, which actually was refreshing in the Guilin tourism racket.
Anyway, this is a museum in development. There was no door charge and we could simply go in and look around. There was no shop yet, and no tour groups yet, and I think this place has tremendous potential to becoming an awesome museum to recommend to fellow aviationists. I definitely recommend it to anyone in the area!
Written July 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Archaeobuff
Sydney, Australia2,032 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
The flying tigers were a group of American volunteers (before the US entered WW2) and US trained Chinese pilots who protected the allied transport planes flying the Hump from Burma to China across the Himalayas. They were famous for a success ratio of around 10 to 1 against the Japanese Zeros due to tactics developed by Chennault the US commander who played to the strengths of his planes. There was a C-47 transport out the front that had been flown across from Australia by a group of pilots whose average age was 72 - good on them. There was only a model of the P-40 warhawk with their famous flying tiger painted mouth. The museum was mainly a sequence of photos and stories. It is very recently built and air conditioned and worth a visit if you are interested.
Written October 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon P
Nottingham, UK1 contribution
Jul 2019 • Couples
I visited the museum today and found it fascinating, being particularly interested in the American Volunteer Group (AVG) which became known as the ‘Flying Tigers’.
The museum provides context for the AVG regarding the China-Japanese conflict in general, and how in 1941 the AVG was created under American General Chennault, later spawning the ‘China Air Task Force’ (CATF) and the ‘14th Air Force’, the ‘23rd Fighter group’ and ‘Chinese American Composite Wing’ (CAWC) groups.
There are two floors of exhibits and you can easily spend 2 or more hours inside the museum with more to view outside.
In response to some earlier queries, I can confirm the following:-
• The museum is currently open to visitors from 09:00 to 17:00 Tuesday to Sunday, so is closed on Mondays.
• The address is “Guilin Feihu Park”, Linsu Rd, Lingui Qu, Guilin Shi where the old Yang Tang airfield was.
• The museum can be contacted on one of the following 2 Chinese phone numbers: 0773 5583810 or 820.
• Entry is free, but if visiting as individuals, personal identification will be required to be shown.
• Groups of 10 or more people need to book ahead on tel. 0773 5597811
• There are good translations in English for all but a few of the exhibits.
• There is a café on site.
• The Dakota plane is currently partially covered by scaffold whilst a protective building is constructed around it.
The wikipedia article on the Flying Tigers provides a good introductory background to the AVG/Flying Tiger story.
The museum provides context for the AVG regarding the China-Japanese conflict in general, and how in 1941 the AVG was created under American General Chennault, later spawning the ‘China Air Task Force’ (CATF) and the ‘14th Air Force’, the ‘23rd Fighter group’ and ‘Chinese American Composite Wing’ (CAWC) groups.
There are two floors of exhibits and you can easily spend 2 or more hours inside the museum with more to view outside.
In response to some earlier queries, I can confirm the following:-
• The museum is currently open to visitors from 09:00 to 17:00 Tuesday to Sunday, so is closed on Mondays.
• The address is “Guilin Feihu Park”, Linsu Rd, Lingui Qu, Guilin Shi where the old Yang Tang airfield was.
• The museum can be contacted on one of the following 2 Chinese phone numbers: 0773 5583810 or 820.
• Entry is free, but if visiting as individuals, personal identification will be required to be shown.
• Groups of 10 or more people need to book ahead on tel. 0773 5597811
• There are good translations in English for all but a few of the exhibits.
• There is a café on site.
• The Dakota plane is currently partially covered by scaffold whilst a protective building is constructed around it.
The wikipedia article on the Flying Tigers provides a good introductory background to the AVG/Flying Tiger story.
Written July 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Al J
Guilin, China102 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
I am an American living in Guilin 5-6 months each year. I volunteer with the English Corner and the English Associations of the various universities in the area to help promote fluency in the English language and encourage a closer relationship between the Chinese and American people.
A common theme to assist in encouraging a feeling of oneness is to encourage the teaching of the histories which shows the close relationship and cooperation between the American and Chinese people during WW-ll. A vital part of the cooperative effort between our countries is presented at this museum and heritage park. At this location the American Volunteer Group, also known as the Flying Tigers, had their headquarters at the Yang Tang Airfield in Lingui County, Guilin, and joined with China in the fight against a common enemy.
Rather than use my words, I have attached parts of excerpts from the press release issued by the US Embassy in Beijing, on 31 March 2015. Quotes are by U.S. Consul General Gault.
“American Flying Tigers Guilin Heritage Park Receives Warm Welcome
Honoring the legacy of the Americans and Chinese who bravely fought together defending freedom, the American Flying Tigers Guilin Heritage Park was opened March 28 in Lingui County, Guilin, Guangxi.
“The exploits of the Flying Tigers are truly the stuff of legend. When most of the news from the war was bleak, reports of the Flying Tigers’ victories, sacrifices, and courage provided hope to the peoples of both our countries,” CG Galt told those gathered to celebrate the new park. “Throughout the war, American soldiers in China were touched by the kindness and bravery of their Chinese partners. Brave men and women provided assistance and shelter to thousands of American airmen whose planes were shot down for a cause they shared. Bonds like these are lasting. We can’t forget the bravery and sacrifice of men and women on both sides who came together for a common cause.”
The Heritage Park is located at the Yang Tang Airfield, which served as the command base from which the Flying Tigers launched missions throughout southern China. The project is the result of American and Chinese cooperation to remember and honor this important legacy. The Flying Tiger Historical Organization (FTHO) approached Chinese officials with a proposal to build the park and restore General Chennault’s Command and Operations cave located in Guilin, and the Chinese quickly agreed to contribute land and funding for the project. The FTHO then raised thousands of dollars and donated hundreds of pieces of memorabilia; the Chinese government matched funds 4:1.
“Ultimately, seventy years after this war ended, we also celebrate the future and how our two countries can work together to create a more peaceful and prosperous world,” CG Galt said. “It reminds us of the importance of our countries’ relationship – and the fact that we have to get it right, for the benefit of our two countries and the global community. The only way to do that is to work together, as we did at critical moments in the past.”
Today the Museum building within the Heritage Park features architecture reflective of the fighter planes used during the Flying Tigers missions, including a “shark’s teeth” entrance, a domed glass ceiling resembling the fighter pilots’ cockpit dome, and windows representative of P40 fighter planes’ exhaust stacks. Inside, the Flying Tigers are brought to life through displays of photographs, paintings, and memorabilia. The Museum is located just outside General Chennault’s cave, which is being painstakingly restored.’’
I have been to the park twice, once in March 2015 and again late November 2015. While the building interior of the museum has yet to be finished and the displays all put in place, remarkable progress has taken place at the site. While I was permitted access to the closed building on a Saturday, I have heard it is open to the public during the week. Another source says it is not yet open to the public on any day. Progress is being made at restoring General Chennault’s Command Cave, but the majority of work there still needs to be done.
While the Guilin area has a very large number of sites to attract tourists, I predict the Flying Tiger Heritage Park will become the major attraction for Americans, Chinese and all persons with an interest in history, the exploits of the Flying Tigers and WW-ll.
People living in the area might want to wait until all construction is complete; all exhibits are in place and fully open to the public. People passing through the area one time might consider a trip there now and have a chance to witness this unique piece of history and honor those brave Chinese and Americans who sacrificed so much to fight a common enemy. It will be an experience you will never forget!
In the very near future there will be a reenactment of the “Flight Over the Hump” (India, Burma, China Airlift over the Himalaya Mountains) in a restored C-47 aircraft. The plane is presently undergoing flight trials in Australia and will soon fly to India where it will recreate the Hump flight. The plane will land at a former Flying Tiger airfield in Kunming and then continue on to Guilin. Once here it will be donated to the Heritage Park and remain there on permanent display.
As there is no contact information yet available for the park, one might want to contact the Office of Guilin Municipal Tourism Bureau & Guilin Tourist Information Center:
Address: 14 North Ronghu Road, Diecai District, Guilin, Guangxi, P.R.China Tel: (86)773 280 0318, or other tourist information agency.
A common theme to assist in encouraging a feeling of oneness is to encourage the teaching of the histories which shows the close relationship and cooperation between the American and Chinese people during WW-ll. A vital part of the cooperative effort between our countries is presented at this museum and heritage park. At this location the American Volunteer Group, also known as the Flying Tigers, had their headquarters at the Yang Tang Airfield in Lingui County, Guilin, and joined with China in the fight against a common enemy.
Rather than use my words, I have attached parts of excerpts from the press release issued by the US Embassy in Beijing, on 31 March 2015. Quotes are by U.S. Consul General Gault.
“American Flying Tigers Guilin Heritage Park Receives Warm Welcome
Honoring the legacy of the Americans and Chinese who bravely fought together defending freedom, the American Flying Tigers Guilin Heritage Park was opened March 28 in Lingui County, Guilin, Guangxi.
“The exploits of the Flying Tigers are truly the stuff of legend. When most of the news from the war was bleak, reports of the Flying Tigers’ victories, sacrifices, and courage provided hope to the peoples of both our countries,” CG Galt told those gathered to celebrate the new park. “Throughout the war, American soldiers in China were touched by the kindness and bravery of their Chinese partners. Brave men and women provided assistance and shelter to thousands of American airmen whose planes were shot down for a cause they shared. Bonds like these are lasting. We can’t forget the bravery and sacrifice of men and women on both sides who came together for a common cause.”
The Heritage Park is located at the Yang Tang Airfield, which served as the command base from which the Flying Tigers launched missions throughout southern China. The project is the result of American and Chinese cooperation to remember and honor this important legacy. The Flying Tiger Historical Organization (FTHO) approached Chinese officials with a proposal to build the park and restore General Chennault’s Command and Operations cave located in Guilin, and the Chinese quickly agreed to contribute land and funding for the project. The FTHO then raised thousands of dollars and donated hundreds of pieces of memorabilia; the Chinese government matched funds 4:1.
“Ultimately, seventy years after this war ended, we also celebrate the future and how our two countries can work together to create a more peaceful and prosperous world,” CG Galt said. “It reminds us of the importance of our countries’ relationship – and the fact that we have to get it right, for the benefit of our two countries and the global community. The only way to do that is to work together, as we did at critical moments in the past.”
Today the Museum building within the Heritage Park features architecture reflective of the fighter planes used during the Flying Tigers missions, including a “shark’s teeth” entrance, a domed glass ceiling resembling the fighter pilots’ cockpit dome, and windows representative of P40 fighter planes’ exhaust stacks. Inside, the Flying Tigers are brought to life through displays of photographs, paintings, and memorabilia. The Museum is located just outside General Chennault’s cave, which is being painstakingly restored.’’
I have been to the park twice, once in March 2015 and again late November 2015. While the building interior of the museum has yet to be finished and the displays all put in place, remarkable progress has taken place at the site. While I was permitted access to the closed building on a Saturday, I have heard it is open to the public during the week. Another source says it is not yet open to the public on any day. Progress is being made at restoring General Chennault’s Command Cave, but the majority of work there still needs to be done.
While the Guilin area has a very large number of sites to attract tourists, I predict the Flying Tiger Heritage Park will become the major attraction for Americans, Chinese and all persons with an interest in history, the exploits of the Flying Tigers and WW-ll.
People living in the area might want to wait until all construction is complete; all exhibits are in place and fully open to the public. People passing through the area one time might consider a trip there now and have a chance to witness this unique piece of history and honor those brave Chinese and Americans who sacrificed so much to fight a common enemy. It will be an experience you will never forget!
In the very near future there will be a reenactment of the “Flight Over the Hump” (India, Burma, China Airlift over the Himalaya Mountains) in a restored C-47 aircraft. The plane is presently undergoing flight trials in Australia and will soon fly to India where it will recreate the Hump flight. The plane will land at a former Flying Tiger airfield in Kunming and then continue on to Guilin. Once here it will be donated to the Heritage Park and remain there on permanent display.
As there is no contact information yet available for the park, one might want to contact the Office of Guilin Municipal Tourism Bureau & Guilin Tourist Information Center:
Address: 14 North Ronghu Road, Diecai District, Guilin, Guangxi, P.R.China Tel: (86)773 280 0318, or other tourist information agency.
Written January 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William Y
Chandler7 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
I am a retired history teacher from the U. S. A. who grew up during World War Two. Several of the older people that I worked with were pilots who flew into China during that war. They had some great stories of there times in China. In my home town there are two of the Flying Tigers pilots buried in a small cemetery along with other veterans of that theater of operations. I had visited it several times with some of their relatives.
When my friend who lives in Guilin, Guangxi, China told me that the Flying Tigers
Memorial Park opened, I knew that I would make it a point to visit this place.
Done up in grand Chinese style, the park has a high pagoda gate with gold letters in
English and Chinese. The wall around the park is white with yellow Flying Tiger symbols along the length. There are several walkways around the courtyard lined with large stones, each has a insignia painted on it commemorating the air groups that were a part theater. I took pictures of many of them for friends to be sent back home. CBI and the 10th Army Air Corps.
Inside of the Museum building is a pictorial history of the Japanese occupation and the story of how the Allies began to ferry supplies and war materials into China. The story of how the Flying Tigers became a major part of helping the Chinese defeat the enemy. There are many artifacts on display from the era on display inside.
I spent about an hour walking around the grounds taking pictures of the memorial stones and about two hours inside the museum. I would have spent more time there but the building closes at 5 p.m.
When my friend who lives in Guilin, Guangxi, China told me that the Flying Tigers
Memorial Park opened, I knew that I would make it a point to visit this place.
Done up in grand Chinese style, the park has a high pagoda gate with gold letters in
English and Chinese. The wall around the park is white with yellow Flying Tiger symbols along the length. There are several walkways around the courtyard lined with large stones, each has a insignia painted on it commemorating the air groups that were a part theater. I took pictures of many of them for friends to be sent back home. CBI and the 10th Army Air Corps.
Inside of the Museum building is a pictorial history of the Japanese occupation and the story of how the Allies began to ferry supplies and war materials into China. The story of how the Flying Tigers became a major part of helping the Chinese defeat the enemy. There are many artifacts on display from the era on display inside.
I spent about an hour walking around the grounds taking pictures of the memorial stones and about two hours inside the museum. I would have spent more time there but the building closes at 5 p.m.
Written August 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simster
Singapore, Singapore60 contributions
Aug 2018
My family and I detoured off our original itinerary in order to visit. The museum building is cleverly designed to mimic the teeth painted on the noses of the original P-40 fighters. However when we reached the museum it was closed, despite our tour guide having checked the opening hours of this museum. Also, the only aircraft on display is a Dakota transport.
Written September 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the museum open yet? What are the hours? Thanks. Bruce
Written January 10, 2017
William Y. Has been back to the park this year and can probably answer you questions better than I could. I will email him and ask him to reply.
Written May 17, 2017
I will be going on an Asian cruise starting in March next year. We will have 3 days in Hong Kong prior to the ship leaving. What is the easiest and most economical way to go from Hong Kong to Guilin and go and visit the Flying Tigers Museum? My Dad was with the Flying Tigers, and I would love to see this Museum while in that part of the world.
Thanks
Written October 13, 2016
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