Tomb of Deng Yanda

Tomb of Deng Yanda

The Tomb of Deng Yanda is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

The tomb complex of Deng Yanda in Nanjing is grand in scale, covering a total area of over 5,000 square meters. It is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province. Located on the eastern side of Linggu Temple at the southern foot of Zhongshan Mountain in Nanjing.

Deng Yanda (1895–1931), courtesy name Zesheng, was a native of Huiyang, Guangdong. In his early years, he joined the Tongmenghui and participated in the Xinhai Revolution. He once served as the educational director of the Whampoa Military Academy, and during the Northern Expedition, he was the director of the Political Department of the National Revolutionary Army. During the Nanchang Uprising on August 1st, he was a member of the Revolutionary Committee. In August 1931, he was arrested in Nanjing and was killed outside Qilin Gate in November of the same year. Local residents risked their safety to bury his remains. In 1957, his remains were relocated and reburied west of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum.

Deng Yanda was one of the leaders of the left wing, a brave fighter in China’s democratic revolution, a renowned revolutionary, an outstanding military strategist and politician, and the founder of the Chinese Peasants' and Workers' Democratic Party. He was also a close comrade-in-arms of the Chinese Communist Party. He was a loyal disciple of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and a successor to the revolutionary cause, a defender of [the revolution], a courageous warrior against imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic comprador bourgeoisie, and a capable right-hand man of Sun Yat-sen.

At the entrance of the tomb path is a circular flower bed, and in front of the tomb lies an open expanse of green lawn, with a cross-shaped concrete pathway symmetrically dividing the lawn. On both sides of the pathway are rows of evergreen trees such as junipers and dragon cypresses. On the east and west sides of the lawn are reinforced concrete flower corridors that curve and extend all the way to the front of the mausoleum. Wisteria vines are planted along both sides of the corridors, and there are also square pavilions within the corridors where visitors can rest.

At the end of the pathway is a concrete platform, approximately 2,300 square meters in size, with Deng’s tomb built in the center of this large platform. The tomb mound is hemispherical, 4.5 meters high and 9.2 meters in diameter, made of poured concrete. In front of the tomb stands a granite gravestone, 4.8 meters high and 1.2 meters wide. The front of the stone is inscribed with seven gilded Chinese characters reading “Tomb of Martyr Deng Yanda,” with “1957, November” inscribed above and “Respectfully inscribed by He Xiangning” below. The back of the gravestone bears an inscription written by the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants' and Workers' Democratic Party, recounting the life and deeds of Martyr Deng Yanda. Around the gravestone are 12 short concrete pillars, connected by iron chains. In front of the gravestone is a concrete podium, featuring cement-relief wreaths, with eight symmetrical cement flower stands arranged on either side. The edges of the large platform are flanked by carved stone railings, and beyond the platform, lush trees thrive. The entire tomb complex is solemn and dignified, with a very tranquil environment.

Further Reading:

· First and Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Jiangsu Province