Li Dazhao Martyrs' Cemetery

Li Dazhao Martyrs' Cemetery

The Li Dazhao Martyrs' Cemetery is a protected cultural heritage site of Beijing, a classic red tourism destination, and a patriotic education base.

The Li Dazhao Martyrs' Cemetery was established in memory of Li Dazhao, a martyr who was a pioneer of China’s communist movement, one of the earliest Marxists in China, and one of the founders of the Communist Party of China. Located in the western suburbs of Beijing at the foot of the scenic Fragrant Hills and in the central area of the Wan’an Cemetery, the cemetery faces east and features a traditional courtyard-style architectural design. It covers an area of 2,200 square meters.

The main hall on the west side of the cemetery houses the exhibition room dedicated to the life and deeds of the martyr. Upon entering the exhibition room, the first item you see is an important historical relic: a stone tablet carved in 1934 by the underground Communist Party of China’s northern branch to commemorate the martyr when he was laid to rest. This tablet could not be erected at the martyr’s grave during those years and had to be buried underground along with his coffin. It was not until 1983—50 years later—when the cemetery was established, that the tablet was finally unearthed and put on display, becoming the most significant revolutionary relic in the cemetery. On either side of this memorial tablet are inscriptions in memory of the martyr by national leaders such as Zhu De, Chen Yi, Li Xiannian, Lin Boqu, and He Xiangning.

The exhibition room displays over 250 items including photographs, texts, and physical materials related to the martyr’s life. These are organized into ten sections: “Orphaned in Childhood, Determined in Youth,” “Deep Study of Political Theory, Exploring Solutions for National Revitalization,” “Participation in the May Fourth New Culture Movement,” “A Renowned Scholar and Mentor to Youth,” “Praising the Russian October Revolution and Spreading Marxism,” “Striving for the Founding of the Communist Party of China,” “Promoting the United Front for the National Revolution and Contributing to the Victory of the Northern Expedition,” “Leading Revolutionary Struggles in North China,” “Heroic Sacrifice for Communism,” and “Living Forever in People’s Hearts.” Together, they provide a comprehensive overview of the martyr’s 38-year-long glorious and combative life.

Over the past decade, the Li Dazhao Martyrs' Cemetery has become an important base for patriotic education and revolutionary tradition education. The small square in front of the martyr’s statue, which can accommodate over 500 people, serves as a key venue for various ceremonies and activities organized by Communist Party members, Communist Youth League members, and Young Pioneers. With strong support from all sectors of society, the cemetery actively carries out various educational and promotional activities and has published the “Wan’an Series.” In addition to the “Biography of Li Dazhao” that introduces the martyr, the series also takes advantage of the cemetery’s location, where many historical figures are buried, to publish works such as “Masters of Literature and Art” and “Eminent Scholars,” educating students and the public about the outstanding sons and daughters of the Chinese nation.

Li Dazhao was a pioneer of China’s communist movement, a great Marxist, an outstanding proletarian revolutionary, and one of the principal founders of the Communist Party of China.

On the sixth day of the tenth month of the fifteenth year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty (October 29, 1889), Li Dazhao was born in Daheituo Village, Leting County, Hebei Province. From a young age, he was determined to find a way out for suffering China. Starting from a patriotic stance, he progressed from democracy to communism. Responding to the needs of the times, he was the first to raise high the banner of Marxism-Leninism in China, pointing the way toward a new social future...  More details about Li Dazhao++

Further reading:

· Third Batch of Municipal-Level Protected Cultural Heritage Sites in Beijing