Tongcheng Martyrs' Cemetery

Tongcheng Martyrs' Cemetery

Tongcheng Martyrs' Cemetery is a cultural tourism attraction, a classic red tourism destination, and a patriotic education base.

Tongcheng Martyrs' Cemetery is located at the southern foot of Qiuyu Mountain, west outside the city proper of Tongcheng. The Martyrs' Tower was formerly known as the "Tongcheng Martyrs' Tomb," which was originally built atop Diaoyutai Hill at the North Gate. In 1962, the People's Government of Tongcheng County renamed the "Martyrs' Tomb" to the "Martyrs' Tower" and relocated it to its current site.

The overall layout of the martyrs' cemetery faces the city from the mountain, situated north-facing south, covering a total area of 30,000 square meters. It is enclosed by a rubble stone wall, with a 4-meter-wide tree-lined path leading to 35 wide steps that ascend directly to the tower platform. The tower platform is rectangular, with an area of 1,700 square meters, surrounded by reinforced concrete railings, and edged with lush cypress trees. The base platform is square, covering an area of 130 square meters, also enclosed by reinforced concrete railings. The Martyrs' Tower stands 10 meters tall and is square-shaped with a trapezoidal form. The front side is inscribed with eight large characters: "The spirit of the martyrs will live forever." The east side reads: "Glory belongs to the martyrs who bravely sacrificed their lives for the country, the people, and the revolution." The west side states: "The glorious deeds of the revolutionary martyrs will always be admired by the people." These are all in running script, carved in relief, and written by Zhang Kaifan, a calligrapher and former Deputy Secretary of the Anhui Provincial Party Committee. Ten meters behind the tower is the rear wall of the tower platform, in the center of which is embedded a curved cement tower stele inscribed in clerical script, also carved in relief. The main structure of the Martyrs' Tower is grand and solemn, nestled among green trees and cypresses. Every year on Tomb-Sweeping Day, people from both urban and rural areas, as well as teachers and students, come to pay their respects.