Hellfire Pass is part of the Burma Railway, built during the Second World War under Japanese occupation. It was constructed using forced labour, including prisoners of war (POWs) and local workers.

Workers had to clear jungle and cut through stone with basic tools like pickaxes, facing disease, starvation, and exhaustion. Many died and were buried in cemeteries along the railway.

The name Hellfire Pass came from the eerie glow of torches at night. Today, the Hellfire Pass Memorial honours those who suffered.