Guannan County Martyrs' Cemetery

Guannan County Martyrs' Cemetery

The Guannan County Martyrs' Cemetery is a classic red tourism attraction.

The Guannan County Martyrs' Cemetery was first built in 1959 and is located in the city center. In 1972, it was relocated from the south side of East Renmin Road to the north side. The cemetery covers a total area of approximately 86 mu (57,600 square meters), measuring 180 meters east-west and 320 meters north-south. The main commemorative structures within the cemetery include: in the center of Hero Square in the southern part of the cemetery stands a magnificent and imposing Revolutionary Martyrs' Monument. To the north of the monument is a hexagonal pavilion with green tiles and colored glaze. Behind the pavilion lies the solemn and respectful Tomb of Martyrs who liberated Xin'an Town. On both sides of the tomb stand two memorial pavilions dedicated to Wu Shu and Tang Shuhong, two renowned martyrs from our county. The northern part features a winding bridge that crosses over an ornamental fish pond, leading to the Guannan People’s Revolutionary Memorial Hall, with the martyrs’ burial area situated on the eastern side. The entire park is lush with green pines and cypresses.

Purpose of constructing the Guannan County Martyrs' Cemetery: It was primarily built to commemorate the martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives on October 16, 1947, in the battle to liberate Xin'an Town in our county. On October 16, 1947, the 91st and 92nd Regiments of the 31st Brigade of the 11th Column of the Central China Field Army encircled over a thousand enemy troops, including the 1st Battalion of the 448th Regiment of the 150th Brigade of the Nationalist 44th Division and local reactionary militias, who were entrenched in Xin'an Town. The 93rd Regiment was tasked with besieging the enemy at the Wuzhang River stronghold and preventing reinforcements. The battle commenced on the 17th and, after a day and night of fierce fighting, our army successfully captured Xin'an Town, killing, wounding, or capturing over 550 enemies, seizing four artillery pieces, nineteen light and heavy machine guns, 430 rifles of various lengths, as well as large quantities of ammunition and military supplies. From then on, Xin'an Town was liberated. During this battle, our army suffered 310 casualties, including the death of 12 officers. Comrades such as Zhang Zhimu, Director of the Political Department of the 92nd Regiment, Zhang Guosheng, Captain of the 3rd Company, Mao Ying, Political Instructor, Chen Yongqing, Platoon Leader, Zhang Bingyao, Captain of the 9th Company, Chen Siqiu, Captain of the Machine-Gun Artillery Company, Wu Jingsheng, Platoon Leader of the 3rd Company of the 91st Regiment, Sha Qing, Platoon Leader of the 5th Company, and Shi Zhaokui, Platoon Leader of the 6th Company, sacrificed their lives heroically.

After its establishment, the cemetery underwent several renovations: In 1998, during the Qingming Festival, the county party committee and government invested tens of thousands of yuan to erect monuments for two renowned martyrs from our county, Wu Shu and Tang Shuhong. In March 1999, tombs and inscriptions were created in honor of the martyrs who bravely sacrificed their lives to liberate Xin'an Town. In 2000, nearly 11 million yuan was invested once again to completely reorganize and rebuild the cemetery layout, constructing a 15,000-square-meter Hero Square and an 860-square-meter Guannan People’s Revolutionary Memorial Hall. These were completed and opened to the public on April 5, 2006. The newly built Hero Square and Memorial Hall now serve not only as patriotic education bases for people from all walks of life to mourn revolutionary martyrs and pay tribute to revolutionary predecessors but also as comprehensive activity venues integrating learning, education, and fitness.

Source: Party History Office of the Guannan County Committee