Baoshan Martyrs' Cemetery

Baoshan Martyrs' Cemetery

Baoshan Martyrs' Cemetery is a cultural tourism attraction, a classic red tourism site, and a patriotic education base.

Located in the eastern part of the urban area, within the territory of Youyi Subdistrict, at the intersection of Baoyang Road and Youyi Branch Road. It covers an area of 16,700 square meters, with a building area of 562 square meters. Construction began in March 1956. At that time, it had a stone archway-style cemetery gate inscribed with "Baoshan County Martyrs' Cemetery." On both sides were engraved blue characters reading “Great in life, glorious in death.” The main tower is 10.20 meters high, and bears an inscription by Chen Yi, Shanghai’s first mayor: “Eternal Glory to Revolutionary Martyrs.” The front of the base is inlaid with a bronze relief of the “People’s Liberation Army Crossing the Yangtze River Commemorative Medal.” In 1976, the cemetery and other structures were renovated. After expansion, the entrance was divided into east and west exits, with five gilded characters “Baoshan Martyrs’ Cemetery” in the center of the main gate. To the right inside the east gate are the cemetery office building and the Martyrs’ Memorial Hall; to the left inside the west gate is the staff residential area. A straight pathway runs through the main gate, with two rows of pine and cypress trees standing on both sides. The main tower was rebuilt to a height of 15 meters, topped with a red five-pointed star. Behind the tower is a 25-meter-long relief wall commemorating the “Million Strong Army Crosses the Yangtze.” In front of the tower is a square, with white walls on both sides engraved with a famous poem by Marshal Chen Yi: “Mighty in death for the nation, your love lives on in millions; A new generation thrives, consoling the loyal souls in their vastness.” A total of 15 burial areas are arranged on the east, west, and north sides of the main tower, with 60 memorial name plaques, interring 1,886 martyrs and 32 deceased servicemen.

On December 2, 1987, the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government designated it as a municipal-level key martyrs’ memorial architecture protection unit. On August 25, 1988, it was renamed “Baoshan Martyrs’ Cemetery.” In February 1989, Zhang Zhen, former Chief of Staff of the Third Field Army of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, inscribed the name of the cemetery. Exhibition corridors on both sides display textual materials on the deeds of the martyrs and images and exhibitions about the liberation of Shanghai. In November of the same year, the cemetery was designated as a youth education base by the Communist Youth League Shanghai Municipal Committee, and in January 1990, it was established as a moral education base for schools in Baoshan District.