Jintang Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery

Jintang Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery

The Jintang Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery is a cultural heritage site protected by Dinghai District and also serves as a patriotic education base.

The Jintang Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery is located on Dongfeng Ridge at the border between Dafeng and Shantan on the picturesque Jintang Island in the southwestern part of Zhoushan Main Island. As you walk into the cemetery, you’ll find it quiet and solemn — the remains of 144 brave People's Liberation Army soldiers who sacrificed their lives to liberate and defend Jintang are buried around the memorial tower.

The cemetery stretches 4.5 meters from north to south and 3.7 meters from east to west. The base of the Revolutionary Martyrs' Memorial Tower covers an area of 26.5 square meters. The tower itself stands 12 meters tall, topped with a five-pointed star. On the front of the tower are the golden words “Eternal Glory to the Revolutionary Martyrs,” while the back bears an inscription recounting the liberation of Jintang Island.

In 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong issued the order to achieve total victory in the national liberation campaign and advance across the country. To liberate the Zhoushan Archipelago — removing the largest Nationalist stronghold west of Dinghai — the Seventh Corps of the Chinese People's Liberation Army decided to attack Jintang Island. Their goal was to eliminate the Nationalist 102nd Division of the 75th Army and the army-affiliated artillery battalion stationed there, thus preparing for the assault on Zhoushan Main Island.

On October 3, 1949, the PLA deployed four assault regiments: the 196th, 197th, and 198th Regiments of the 66th Division, along with the 190th Regiment of the 64th Division, as the landing strike force. The 194th Regiment of the 65th Division served as the reserve, ready to join the battle when needed. That day, under heavy rain and dark skies, the assault conditions were extremely harsh. More than 300 wooden sailboats raced for 75 minutes before successfully landing on the southern side of Jintang Island, in areas such as Shuangjiao, Botang, Huanglan, and the large and small Niwan bays. They then swiftly advanced inland. On the morning of the 4th, the 196th Regiment encountered fierce resistance from enemy forces while trying to capture Dongfoling, the key passage to the northern part of the island. After intense fighting and repeated engagements, they managed to defeat part of the enemy and continued their push toward the final strongholds. At dawn on the 5th, the PLA captured Ligan Port, marking the complete liberation of Jintang Island. A total of 2,409 soldiers from the Nationalist 102nd Division of the 75th Army were killed or captured, including Major General Li Xiangping, the deputy division commander. This battle fully demonstrated the heroic spirit and fearless combat style of the PLA, and it was a decisive engagement in the liberation of the Zhoushan Archipelago.

To honor the martyrs, inspire future generations, and promote patriotism, in May 1978, the former Dinghai District Government began constructing the Jintang Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery on Dongfeng Ridge, one of the sites of the fiercest fighting during the liberation of Jintang. In October 1979, the 30th anniversary of the liberation of Jintang, the cemetery was officially completed, and the remains of 144 martyrs who had been buried in scattered locations across the region were relocated here. In January 2007, the Jintang Town Government carried out major renovations and expansions of the cemetery. It now covers an area of 18 mu (approximately 1.2 hectares) and includes an ecological burial area, a memorial square, the martyrs’ tower, the Fragrance Terrace, pavilions, corridors, stone railings, green spaces, and more. Every year during the Qingming Festival, people from all walks of life, government departments, and school groups come to pay their respects and receive patriotic education. The site has become a comprehensive patriotic education base that combines collective commemoration with tourism. In March 1993, the cemetery was designated as a “Zhoushan Youth Patriotic Education Base” by the Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau and the Communist Youth League Committee. In June of the same year, it was listed as a key cultural heritage site under Dinghai District Government protection. In June 1994, it was among the first group of municipal-level patriotic education bases.