Shenyang Korean War Martyrs' Cemetery

Shenyang Korean War Martyrs' Cemetery

The Shenyang Korean War Martyrs' Cemetery is a classic red tourism destination, a patriotic education base, and a national defense education base.

The Shenyang Korean War Martyrs' Cemetery was first built in early 1951, covering an area of 240,000 square meters. It consists of a martyrs' memorial monument, a group of martyrs' tombs, a martyrs' memorial hall, a video hall, and other facilities. The main body of the monument, located at the highest point of the cemetery, stands 23 meters tall and is the iconic structure of the cemetery; behind the monument, in the pine forest, lie the remains of 123 volunteer soldiers, including special-class combat heroes Huang Jiguang and Yang Gensi, first-class combat hero Qiu Shaoyun, Sun Zhan yuan, Yang Liandi, and other heroic model martyrs.

The Shenyang Korean War Martyrs' Cemetery has always received cordial care and strong support from the Party and the state. Shortly after its establishment, the then Vice President of China inscribed the words “The spirits of the martyrs who fought in the Korean War will live forever” on the monument; the then Premier personally reviewed the 471-character inscription on the monument. Guo Moruo inscribed the name of the cemetery and wrote poems to praise the martyrs’ patriotism and internationalism, while a leader from the martyrs’ former unit composed the epitaph. On every Tomb-Sweeping Day, leaders from Liaoning Province, Shenyang City, the garrison in Shenyang, the Liaoning Military District, and people from all walks of life come to hold solemn commemorative ceremonies. Even outside of these holidays, visitors come in an endless stream, with over 100,000 people visiting annually, making it a national-level patriotic education base.

Since the reform and opening up, as China’s overall national strength has continued to grow, the Party and the state have continuously invested in improving the facilities of the cemetery. From 1996 to 2001 alone, the municipal government invested a huge sum of 12.67 million yuan, and the Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau contributed 1.56 million yuan to rebuild the martyrs' memorial hall, the square, and the video hall, greatly promoting the better promotion of the martyrs' spirit and patriotic education. Especially the martyrs' memorial hall completed in October 1999, with a construction area of 2,000 square meters and an exhibition area of 1,500 square meters, had a total investment of 11 million yuan. It includes 12 exhibition rooms, displaying 181 precious historical photos, 240 relics of the martyrs, and 4 video documentaries. With conventional exhibitions as the main focus and high-tech means such as sound, light, and electricity as supplements, it integrates the authenticity of history, the artistry of the display, and the visibility of the scenes, immersing visitors as if they were there, seeing the people, and hearing the sounds, thus serving a significant educational purpose.

Since its establishment, the staff here have always kept in mind and faithfully fulfilled the sacred duty of “commemorating the martyrs and educating future generations.” They meticulously maintain the facilities and environment of the cemetery, ensuring that it boasts flowers in spring, shade in summer, fruit in autumn, and greenery in winter. Towering cypresses frame blooming flowers, lush pines cover the grass, and monuments greet the morning sun. The site is both solemn and dignified, yet vibrant and lively, effectively highlighting the heroic spirit of the martyrs that soars to the skies, filling every visitor with deep reverence.

The Shenyang Korean War Martyrs' Cemetery was rated as a “National Key Martyrs' Memorial Building Protection Unit” in 1986, a “Civilized Unit” of Shenyang City in 1992, a “Patriotic Education Base” by the Shenyang Municipal Committee and Government in 1995, as well as a “Patriotic Education Base” and “Advanced Unit in Martyrs' Memorial Building Management” by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in the same year. In 1996, it was designated as a “National Patriotic Education Base for Primary and Secondary Schools” by six ministries including the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Education, and as a “Patriotic Education Base” by Liaoning Province. Starting in 1997, it was recognized as a provincial and municipal “National Defense Education Base.” In 1998, it was honored as a “Garden-style Unit” by Liaoning Province. In 2001, it was designated as the second batch of “Patriotic Education Demonstration Bases” by the Central Propaganda Department. In 2002, it was named a provincial “Civilized Unit” and, in the same year, established as a “Party History Education Base” by the Liaoning Provincial Committee.