Guangdong Villa

Guangdong Villa

Guangdong Villa was first built during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty. Its original site was at Sanpailou, serving as a cemetery for people of Cantonese origin who worked in the military, business, and other fields. In 1939, the original site at Sanpailou was occupied by the Japanese invaders during the Second Sino-Japanese War, and Guangdong Villa was relocated to No. 40 Zhangwangmiao, outside Zhongyang Gate. After 1949, the cemetery was effectively protected under the care of Soong Ching-ling and the Jiangsu Provincial Government. Covering an area of over 19,000 square meters, the cemetery houses nearly 2,000 graves, including those of Feng Jun, the personal bodyguard commander of Dr. Sun Yat-sen during the Northern Expedition period, as well as some influential Cantonese figures in the military, political, and business sectors during the Republican era. Currently, Guangdong Villa is managed by the Nanjing Overseas Chinese Federation.

Guangdong Villa is located at No. 40 Zhangwangmiao, Zhongyang North Road, Nanjing. On the right side of the villa’s main gate stands a small stone tablet inscribed with: “The original site of this cemetery was at Sanpailou inside (Nanjing) city. In the 30th year of the Republic of China (1941), it was requisitioned by the Japanese Wokawa Unit, so funds were raised to purchase land and relocate the cemetery here. Established by the Tomb Relocation Council on October, 30th Year of the Republic of China.”

Deep within the lush, tree-lined cemetery stands a stone tablet engraved with seven gilded characters reading “Tomb of Anti-Japanese Cantonese Army Martyrs.” Beneath the tablet lie the remains of 74 relocated martyrs. The entire burial site is shaped like a chair, with an inscription in traditional Chinese characters on the “backrest” of the chair. The main heading reads: “Wounded then fallen, our nation raged in fury. No grand burial could be given, they are martyrs of the nation.” The text reads: “In 1937, the earth-shaking Battle of Shanghai on August 13th broke out. Our brave Cantonese soldiers fought bloodily with extremely heavy casualties. Many of the wounded were hospitalized at the No. 8 Fu Tang Rear Hospital in Nanjing. On December 13th of that year, the Japanese invaders captured Nanjing, and all hospitalized wounded soldiers were massacred. Later, the Cantonese Fellow Association led efforts to hastily bury them within the cemetery. In July of the year 2???, to promote the spirit of the Chinese nation and inspire future generations, the Guangdong Villa Council decided to raise funds to rebuild the martyrs’ memorial park in tribute to the pioneers. The nameless martyrs of the Anti-Japanese Cantonese Army will live on forever. Rebuilt in December of the year 2???.“