Matang Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall

Matang Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall

The Matang Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a classic red tourism site.

Matang is a revolutionary base area in central Jiangsu. It was here that Wu Yalu, the first Communist Party member in the Nantong region, was born, the first Party branch in Rudong was established, and the anti-Japanese democratic government of Rugao (East) County was founded. During the war years, this place served as the headquarters of the Northern Jiangsu Special Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee. Veteran revolutionaries such as Liang Lingguang, Ji Pengfei, and Tao Yong once lived and fought here, and Matang was hailed as the “Little Yan’an” of central Jiangsu.

Under the leadership of the Party, the people of Matang actively joined the struggle against reactionary forces and the fight against Japanese invaders, composing one revolutionary epic after another. Thousands of outstanding sons and daughters of Matang embarked on the revolutionary path, participating in the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Liberation War, and the Korean War. Notable martyrs such as Bai Tongben and Gu Zunsan emerged, and a total of 407 individuals from the town were approved as revolutionary martyrs.

To carry forward the revolutionary tradition, honor the spirit of the martyrs, and consolidate red resources, the Matang Town Party Committee and government began preparations for the Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall in July 2005. After two years of effort, a grand memorial hall covering an area of 10,000 square meters was finally completed. It integrates a memorial hall, a monument, and a Heroes’ Wall, featuring a rational layout, beautiful architecture, and a majestic atmosphere. This memorial hall is one of the few township-level revolutionary martyrs memorials in Jiangsu Province.

The Hall of Revolutionary History, the Hall of Pioneers, and the Hall of Vanguard display historical relics, documents, and photographs. The Monument to the Anti-Japanese Democratic Government stands like two swords pointing to the sky, while the names of 407 martyrs from Matang are engraved on the stone wall of the hill. During the preparation of the memorial hall, relevant municipal and county leaders visited the site multiple times to provide guidance, and the general public offered strong support. Party members, residents, and private enterprise owners donated nearly one million yuan in funds and materials.