Longquan Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery

Longquan Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery

The Longquan Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery is a classic red tourism destination and a patriotic education base.

The Longquan Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery is located on Anqing Mountain in the northern part of Longquan City. Established in 1959, it covers a total area of 36.2 mu (approximately 2.4 hectares) with a construction area of over 1,600 square meters.

Since its establishment, a series of structures have been built along a central axis, including a gatehouse, the Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall, a memorial square, the Revolutionary Martyrs Monument, monuments for the first, third, and fourth secretaries of the Southwest Zhejiang Special Committee — namely martyrs Song Mengping, Xu Xinkun, and Zhang Qilin — as well as the graves of seven martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War and the period of socialist construction.

In the early days, there were also a memorial pavilion and monument for martyr Ji Bugao, a member of the Guangdong Provincial Committee, Secretary of the Guangzhou Municipal Committee, and one of the organizers of the Canton–Hong Kong Strike; a monument commemorating where some of Marshal Su Yu’s ashes were scattered; and a monument for General Li Yimin, a notable figure from Longquan, former consultant to the Political Department of the PLA General Staff Department, and Major General. Supporting facilities include management offices, a reception area, and restrooms.

The Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall has two floors with four exhibition halls. Through historical facts, photographs, and revolutionary relics, it provides a detailed account of the development of the local Communist Party organization in Longquan during the New Democratic Revolution period and the history of the revolutionary struggles of the people of Longquan. The hall displays 86 portraits and paintings of revolutionary martyrs, as well as more than 150 revolutionary historical relics for public viewing and remembrance.

At the center of the cemetery stands the Revolutionary Martyrs Monument, composed of eight pillars of varying heights. The tallest pillar, standing 21 meters high and painted white, symbolizes a flagpole, while the other seven, painted red, represent red flags. On the east side of the memorial square is a memorial wall inscribed with Chairman Mao Zedong’s golden calligraphy: “Live a great life, die a glorious death.”

The Longquan Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery is one of the earlier martyrs' cemeteries built in Zhejiang Province and the earliest in Lishui City. In 1982, it was designated as a key cultural relic protection unit by the Longquan County People's Government, and in 1995, it was listed among the first group of patriotic education bases in Zhejiang Province.

Over the more than 50 years since its establishment, the Longquan Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery has undergone three major renovations in 1982, 1992, and 2005, especially a comprehensive transformation in 2013. The cemetery now has a completely renewed look, featuring a beautiful environment, lush greenery, bright lighting, and a solemn atmosphere. It has truly become a new destination for paying tribute to revolutionary martyrs, conducting patriotic education, leisure activities for citizens, and red tourism.