Pingbei Anti-Japanese Martyrs Memorial Park

Pingbei Anti-Japanese Martyrs Memorial Park

The Pingbei Anti-Japanese Martyrs Memorial Park is a classic red tourism destination and a patriotic education base.

The Pingbei Anti-Japanese Martyrs Memorial Park, located at the entrance of the famous scenic area Longqing Gorge on the outskirts of Beijing, covers a total area of 24,000 square meters. The park includes a memorial monument, a memorial hall, a large event plaza, and more. It has been designated as a patriotic education base by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Beijing Municipal Government, and is also a municipal-level protected site for martyrs’ memorial architecture. In 2005, it was recognized as a Capital Greening and Beautification Garden-Style Unit and a Civilized Unit by the city and county spiritual civilization construction committees, an advanced unit in the political and legal system, and was awarded the title of Women’s Civilization Demonstration Post by the Yanqing County Women’s Federation.

Pingbei, meaning “north of Beijing,” stretches from Chengde in the east to Zhangjiakou in the west, covering a total area of 25,000 square kilometers. During the War of Resistance against Japan, it was the junction of the puppet regimes of Mengjiang, Manchukuo, and North China, the heartland of the enemy, and a strategic battleground since ancient times.

The anti-Japanese struggle in Pingbei was extremely brutal. The Japanese invaders implemented the “Three Alls Policy” of “kill all, burn all, loot all.” They enforced “strengthened public security” and “village consolidation” to create uninhabited zones. In Pangjiabao, the Japanese committed numerous massacres, killing over 27,000 of our miners. The military and civilians of Pingbei, united in hatred and determination, made tremendous sacrifices to persevere in the resistance and fight for victory. In just the two counties of Longguan and Chicheng, one in every six people gave their lives for the country. The outstanding commander Bai Yihua, commander of the 10th Regiment, died a heroic death; Company Commander Xie Rui shed blood on the battlefield; the contemporary “She Taijun” Deng Yufen sacrificed her family and seven loved ones; the militia hero He Jinhai set up daring ambushes that struck fear into the hearts of the enemy. Such heroic feats that shake the heavens and earth are too numerous to list. Reflecting on the past fills us with solemn pride, and these stories are truly worthy of being called the soul of the Chinese nation.

To honor the martyrs and educate future generations, the Pingbei Anti-Japanese Martyrs Memorial Park was built in 1989 at the initiative of veteran comrades who had worked and fought in Pingbei, with the care and support of leaders at all levels. The memorial monument was unveiled at the same time, and the memorial hall opened in July 1997. With a construction area of 550 square meters and an exhibition line 130 meters long, the hall is divided into three main sections: the lobby, the film and video hall, and the exhibition area. Through a wealth of photos and wartime relics, it deeply exposes the grave suffering inflicted on the people of Pingbei by the Japanese invaders and extols the patriotism of the Pingbei people in resisting aggression.

The exhibition is divided into eight parts:

I. Japanese Occupation of the Jirecha Border Region

II. The 8th Route Army’s 4th Column Marches East

III. Establishing the Pingbei Anti-Japanese Base Area

IV. Consolidating and Developing the Pingbei Base Area

V. The Struggle Against “Mop-Up” Campaigns, Encroachment, and “Uninhabited Zones”

VI. The People and Military of Pingbei Persevere in Resistance

VII. The Liberation of Zhangjiakou and the Recovery of Pingbei

VIII. The Immortal Names of Pingbei’s Martyrs

History, like time, is merciless—many events are filtered out, ignored, or forgotten, but only the earth-shattering achievements are recorded in the solemn and weighty annals of history. The Pingbei Anti-Japanese War Memorial presents to visitors a rarely documented chapter of the great Chinese people's War of Resistance. The arduousness of the struggle, the tragedy of the sacrifices, and the greatness of the war are shining examples for all time. That undying passion, the unyielding faces, and the indomitable spirits of the martyrs continue to shine through the pages of history... We must not forget.

Main Activities: The museum is open year-round to the public. School groups mainly visit around Tomb-Sweeping Day and during winter and summer vacations. Activities primarily include visiting the memorial hall, holding themed team meetings and speeches in front of the monument, and inviting veterans of the Eighth Route Army to give traditional education talks. Activities are mainly conducted in group formats.

Other Information About This Museum:

Another permanent exhibition at this museum is titled “The Red First Village of Pingbei,” located in Shatanggou Village, Kēxiāng Township, Yanqing County. It was the birthplace of the first rural Party branch in Pingbei.

Opening Hours: Daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, open year-round, including holidays

Address: Gucheng Village, Jiuxian Town, Yanqing County

Phone: 69192567 69191619

Transportation

By Car: Take the Beijing–Lhasa Expressway to Yanqing County, then follow National Highway 110 toward Longqing Gorge. At the Longqing Gorge fork, go north 50 meters to reach the site.

By Bus: Take Bus 919 from Beijing’s Deshengmen to Yanqing, then transfer to a loop bus to the Longqing Gorge fork and walk 100 meters forward.

He Jinhai (1925–1947), originally from Raoyang, Hebei, was born in Baimiao Village, Pangjiabao. At age 13, he worked as a servant for the wealthy landlord Zhao Er, and at 15, became a child laborer at the Longyan Iron Mine, where he bravely resisted the Japanese invaders and puppet spies. At 17, he became the leader of the village militia in Bakou and continued fighting the enemy. He soon joined the Communist Party of China and became a young hero admired by locals and feared by enemies.

In 1944, to support the main forces, around 300 militiamen from over ten villages near the border of Long, Yan, and Huai formed... More details on He Jinhai ++

Ji Hongchang

In 1895, in the backyard of a small teahouse owned by the Ji family in Lütan Town, Fugou County, Henan Province, a boy was born and named Hongchang. For Hongchang’s father, Ji Yunting, the addition to the family was a joy, but also meant another mouth to feed. After much hardship, Ji Hongchang reached the age of 18. Coincidentally, Feng Yuxiang was recruiting soldiers in Henan, so he signed up, thus beginning his lifelong military career.

From an early age, Ji Hongchang regarded heroes such as Yue Fei and Wen Tianxiang as his role models. As a result, he was sincere in his dealings with others, hardworking, disciplined, brave, and skilled in combat in the military... More details about Ji Hongchang++

Deng Dianlong (1905–1944)

From Yudu County, Jiangxi Province, Deng joined the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army during his youth and participated in the Long March. In 1944, he served as the deputy commander of the 40th Regiment of the 8th Route Army's Jin-Cha-Ji Military District. In September, during the battle to capture Xinyingzi northeast of Zhangjiakou, he climbed a ladder alongside his soldiers and was unfortunately shot and killed. He was 39 years old. ... More details about Deng Dianlong++

Geng Yuhua (1912–1942)

Originally named Geng Huan, he was from Zunhua County, Hebei Province. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1936. In 1942, he served as the political commissar of the 11th Regiment of the 13th Sub-district of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military District. While marching from Pingxi to eastern Hebei via the Forty-Li Cliff area in Chicheng County, Pingbei, he was surrounded by Japanese puppet troops. He was wounded during the breakout and took his own life with a bullet, dying a heroic death. He was 30 years old. ... More details about Geng Yuhua++

Bai Yihua (1911–1941), commander of the 10th Regiment of the 8th Route Army's Jirecha Advance Column

Styled Yehè and nicknamed "Little White Dragon." Male, Manchu, born on June 11, 1911, in Liaoyang, Liaoning. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1930. In 1928, Bai Yihua enrolled in the Shenyang Northeast Army Training Corps and later advanced to the Infantry Department of the Northeast Army Officer Academy. In the autumn of 1931, assigned by the Party, he went to Liaoyang to teach under the guise of education while secretly promoting resistance against Japan and building strength. The following year, he organized an anti-Japanese volunteer army, leading his troops in battles across western Liaoning, northern Rehe, and western Jinzhou, achieving consecutive victories and earning the nickname... More details about Bai Yihua++

Shen Shuang (1896–1942), styled Ziru, also known by the alias Bai Difei, was a Manchu born in Huangwu Tun (Dafā Village, Shuǐquán Township) of Shuāngchéng County, a local gentry family. In his youth, he studied at the Jilin Normal School. After graduation, he worked in education in his hometown. In 1931, he joined the Chinese Communist Party. After the September 18 Incident, with the fall of the Northeast, Shen Ziru, together with Kuomintang member Guan Yaozhou, organized anti-Japanese forces in Shuāngchéng. Soon after the uprising, the anti-Japanese troops scattered, Guan Yaozhou was killed, and Shen Shuang crossed into central China, engaging in underground work in Beiping. In 1941, he was appointed to lead the joint county of Suān, Luán, and Mì... More details about Shen Shuang++

Xu Zhifu (1908–1940)

Also named Xu Rui, styled Zhifu, he was from Zhouguantun, Jixian County. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1932. After the July 7 Incident in 1937, he established a Salvation Association in the Linhe area of the Second District with Chen Fuxuan and served as its president. In June 1938, he organized and led uprisings of two local militias, the Sixth and Ninth Companies. On July 14, Xu Zhifu, along with Li Ziguang and Chen Fuxuan, led the Second District Uprising, establishing the 16th Regiment of the Anti-Japanese Allied Forces of Eastern Hebei and serving as its deputy political director. By the end of July, he cooperated with the 4th Column of the 8th Route Army in capturing Jixian County. In September 1939... More details about Xu Zhifu++

Liu Kaixi (1905–1949), from Shuāngxīqiáo, Báixīqiáo, Jiāpíngxiāng, a town inhabited by the Bai ethnic group. In his childhood, he attended a private school for several years. When slightly older, he worked in the fields with his parents.

In 1928, when He Long returned to Sangzhi to establish the Western Hunan-Hubei Revolutionary Base, Liu Kaixi joined the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army during the regiment’s reorganization at Yan’ya. Impressed by his cleverness, He Long kept him as his orderly. Close to He Long, Liu received constant revolutionary education and gradually grew into a military officer with certain command abilities. In 1931, He Long appointed him as a company commander, and due to his meritorious service in battle, he was soon promoted to battalion commander. In 1934, the Second and Sixth Armies... More details about Liu Kaixi++

Wang Bo, originally named Wang Muyu, was born in 1911 in Xiùjiàngtún, Shěnyáng City, Liaoning Province. Intelligent and studious from a young age, he was supported in his education by his wife’s family due to his family’s poverty. In 1931, Wang Bo married Su Xuejin. After marriage, he studied even harder and aspired to become a writer.

In 1931, Japanese invaders deliberately instigated the September 18 Incident, forcibly occupying Shenyang and subsequently annexing the three northeastern provinces. Fiery-hearted Wang Bo deeply resented the humiliation of the occupation, angrily left his homeland, crossed into central China, and enrolled in China University in Beiping. During his university years, Wang Bo came into contact with progressive teachers and students, read progressive literature, and through... More details about Wang Bo++