Suzhou Martyrs' Cemetery

Suzhou Martyrs' Cemetery

Suzhou Martyrs' Cemetery is a Suzhou municipal cultural relics protection unit, a classic red tourism destination, and a patriotic education base.

Suzhou Martyrs' Cemetery is located at the western foot of Hengshan Mountain in the western suburbs of Suzhou. Originally named Suzhou Hengshan Martyrs' Cemetery, it was built in April 1956. In February 2000, the Suzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and the municipal government comprehensively renovated the cemetery on its original site.

The Suzhou Martyrs' Cemetery covers an area of 140 acres and is divided into two sections after renovation: the memorial and commemorative area, and the martyrs' resting area. The memorial and commemorative area is situated at the center of the cemetery and features a symmetrical layout along a central axis. The axis is approximately 160 meters long and follows the natural terrain in a terraced formation from west to east. Corresponding structures along the axis include the main gate, memorial archway, Martyrs' Deeds Exhibition Hall, Martyrs' Cemetery Audiovisual Education Hall, mourning square, and the memorial monument. The memorial monument is a four-sided tower structure, standing 27 meters tall to symbolize April 27, 1949 — the day Suzhou was liberated. The monument bears an inscription by Marshal Chen Yi for the cemetery: “To sacrifice for the people’s cause is the greatest glory.” On the front and both sides of the base of the monument are reliefs depicting “Millions of Troops Cross the Yangtze,” “Battles in Shajiabang,” and “The Victory at Tieling Pass,” while the back features an inscription commemorating the reconstruction of the cemetery by the Suzhou Municipal Committee of the CPC and the municipal government.

The Martyrs' Deeds Exhibition Hall is a two-story building designed in the style of the Tang Dynasty. The exhibits are arranged in five sections that follow the historical timeline: “Sparks Ignite the Prairie,” “Fighting to the Last Drop of Blood,” “Greeting the Dawn,” “Arduous Exploration,” and “A New Journey.” These sections showcase the life stories of 80 revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives in different periods. The mourning square spans 1,000 square meters and can accommodate a thousand people paying their respects. The martyrs' resting area is located north of the memorial and commemorative area and consists of a group of martyrs’ tombs and a martyrs’ columbarium. The tomb complex is divided into three terraces and five zones, where the remains of 255 martyrs are laid to rest.

In 1963, the martyrs' cemetery was designated as a municipal cultural relics protection unit by the Suzhou Municipal People's Government; in 1995, it was named one of the first municipal patriotic education bases by the Suzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and the municipal government; and in 1997, it was recognized as a provincial patriotic education base by the Publicity Department of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee.