Liuheng Dongzong Martyrs' Memorial Park

Liuheng Dongzong Martyrs' Memorial Park

Liuheng Dongzong Martyrs' Memorial Park is a patriotic education base.

To deeply commemorate and honor the revolutionary martyrs of the "Dongzong" who sacrificed their lives for the cause, and to better inherit and promote their spirit, in February 2002, under the high attention of the Party Committee and government of Liuheng Town, construction began on the Donghai Guerrilla Corps Martyrs' Memorial Park. It was officially opened to the public for free in December 2003.

The Donghai Guerrilla Corps Martyrs' Memorial Park is located on Hejia Mountain in Tan’ao Village, Liuheng Town, and consists of three parts: the Revolutionary Martyrs Monument of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps, the Historical Exhibition Hall of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps, and the Martyrs' Memorial Square of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps.

The Martyrs' Monument Square of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps, situated at the mountaintop, covers an area of about 700 square meters. In the center of the square stands the "Revolutionary Martyrs Monument of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps." The inscription on the monument was written by Xue Ju, former Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee. The monument is 18 meters tall, shaped like a grand ship surging through waves toward the distance, symbolizing the mighty revolutionary momentum of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps under the Party’s leadership, as they “smashed the turbulent waves of the East China Sea and eradicated the pests harming humanity.” The back of the monument’s base features an inscribed marble plaque with gilded text. On August 18, 1948, the main force of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps, consisting of 280 members, landed on Liuheng Island from Luomen aboard seven large sailing boats. On the 21st, the Kuomintang mobilized over 2,000 troops from the Zhejiang Security Regiment and the Marine Corps, surrounding the island with eight warships and launching airstrikes. The Donghai Guerrilla Corps engaged in a bloody and heroic battle against ten times their number at Shizhutou in Liuheng. Only around a hundred managed to break through the encirclement. The breakout battle in Liuheng remains a stirring and heroic chapter in the Corps’ history. The monument square offers wide, open views; leaning on the railing, visitors can take in the full panorama of Liuheng, reflecting not only reverence for the martyrs but also the island’s modern development.

The Historical Exhibition Hall of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps is located halfway up the mountain, covering an area of about 400 square meters, with a built-up area of approximately 200 square meters. The exhibition hall is divided into ten sections: the first is the “Foreword” at the center of the hall, providing a bilingual introduction to the historical achievements of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps in the revolutionary struggle; the second is a schematic diagram showing the locations of the Corps’ revolutionary activities in the Zhoushan Archipelago; the third outlines the organizational evolution of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps; the fourth presents brief biographies of 18 key leaders; the fifth details the revolutionary struggle history of the Corps, including segments titled “Initial Storm,” “Mainstay in the Midst,” “Mighty Roar Over the East China Sea,” “Perilous Waves,” “Through Wind and Rain,” and “Riding the Waves”; the sixth lists the names of the Corps’ revolutionary martyrs; the seventh lists the names of soldiers who died (not recognized as martyrs); the eighth section covers commemorations and memoirs, featuring inscriptions from provincial, municipal, and military leaders, as well as memoir articles from veteran soldiers of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps; the ninth displays selected materials from enemy and puppet publications, reflecting the Corps’ resistance from the opposing side; and the tenth is the concluding remarks. The exhibition hall is rich in detail and illustrated with photos, vividly recreating the historical struggles of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps in the Zhoushan Archipelago.

At the foot of the mountain lies the Martyrs' Memorial Square of the Donghai Guerrilla Corps (also called the Dongzong Leisure Square), covering an area of about 4,000 square meters. The square is surrounded by tall trees and lush greenery, and is equipped with a leisure stage, a senior citizens’ gateball court, fitness equipment, and more. It serves as an ideal spot for commemorative activities, cultural entertainment, and fitness recreation. At the center of the square hangs a large marble plaque, 3 meters high and 6 meters wide, inscribed with four bold characters: “East Sea Soaring Dragon.” The calligraphy was done by Mr. Lü Guozhang, Secretary-General of the Xiling Seal Art Society of Zhejiang. These four profound characters symbolize how the Donghai Guerrilla Corps, like a dragon of the East China Sea, stirred up mighty waves and shook the rule of the reactionary Kuomintang; they also imply that Liuheng itself soars like a dragon with a brilliant future ahead.

With its unique cultural ambiance, relatively comprehensive historical materials, and tranquil, picturesque surroundings, the Dongzong Martyrs' Memorial Park attracts numerous visitors from both on and off the island, serving as an excellent site for patriotic education. Over the past five years, it has received nearly 60,000 visitors. Due to its significant role in fostering patriotism and inspiring devotion to the nation, the site was designated as a Patriotic Education Base by both Putuo District and the Zhoushan Municipal Party Committee and Government in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

The Liuheng Management Committee and the Liuheng Town Party Committee and Government place great importance on the role of this base in patriotic education, national defense education, and the construction of socialist spiritual civilization. In addition to conducting various educational activities at the site, they also integrate patriotic education with the Liuheng spirit of “valuing culture and righteousness, striving for excellence and strength.” They call on the people of Liuheng to inherit the martyrs’ legacy, forge a path to happiness, and propel the island’s major development, construction, and progress. Through joint efforts and striving, they aim to build Liuheng into an international, modern, port-based livable city at the earliest opportunity.