Image Source: Arunachal2009
About Jairampur World War II Cemetery
Tucked deep within the emerald forests of Changlang district, the Jairampur World War II Cemetery is one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most hauntingly beautiful historical sites.
Situated along the storied Stilwell Road (Ledo Road), this “hidden cemetery” lies just 6 km from Jairampur town and 24 km before Pangsau Pass on the Indo-Myanmar border. Resting on the banks of the Namchik River, this three-acre burial ground holds nearly 1,000 graves of Allied soldiers from different corners of the world, a silent testimony to the sacrifices made during the brutal campaigns of the China Burma India theatre of World War II.
Travel Experience
Approaching the cemetery from the Jairampur to Nampong road, you first notice the moss-covered concrete boundary posts enclosing the site, with entrances on three sides. Inside, the graves are arranged in five long lines and multiple rows, with a strikingly larger grave, possibly a mass burial, at the centre. Some of the bricks still bear historic markings from Ledo AR&T Co.’s brick fields.
The atmosphere here is surreal. Dense jungle foliage, the distant murmur of the Namchik River, and occasional bird calls create a serene yet sombre setting. The cemetery’s solitude feels even more profound when you learn that many of these soldiers, Chinese, Kachin, Indian, British, and American, perished not only from battle but from malaria, dysentery, landslides, and exhaustion while building or defending the perilous Stilwell Road through the Patkai and Shindbwiyang ranges.
One particularly moving epitaph belongs to Major Hsiao Chu Ching of the Chinese Army’s Independent Engineers. Born in July 1913 in Wei County, Hapeh Province, he died in December 1943, with his company honouring him on January 5, 1944.
Unique Historical Context
Constructed between December 1942 and May 1945, the Stilwell Road was a lifeline connecting Ledo in Assam to Kunming in China via Burma, bypassing Japanese-held territories. Thousands of soldiers laboured in extreme conditions, carving a path through unforgiving jungles and mountains. Many never made it home. The cemetery served as the final resting place for those who died on-site or in nearby field hospitals such as the 20th General Hospital and the 111th Station Hospital, which have long since vanished.
Today, the site is both a historical treasure and a fragile heritage location, with some graves damaged by wild elephants, weather, and neglect.
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport is Mohanbari in Dibrugarh, located around 141 kilometres away.
By Train: The nearest passenger rail stop is Ledo Railway Station (40 kilometres), while Tinsukia (100 kilometres) handles long-distance trains.
By Road: The cemetery is only 6 kilometres from Jairampur bus station. Taxis and buses connect from Assam’s Tinsukia and Margherita.
Best Time to Visit
From November to March, when the skies are clear and jungle roads are more accessible. The monsoon season can be treacherous due to landslides.
Traveller’s Insight
The Jairampur World War II Cemetery is not just a site for history enthusiasts. It is a poignant memorial that connects you to a global story of courage, loss, and endurance. Standing among its weathered headstones, with the Patkai hills rising in the distance, you realise that this quiet corner of Arunachal holds a history as vast as the jungles surrounding it.