Huoqiu County Martyrs' Cemetery

Huoqiu County Martyrs' Cemetery

Huoqiu County Martyrs' Cemetery is a national AAA-level tourist attraction, a cultural tourism site, and a classic red tourism destination.

Huoqiu County was an important part of the E-Yu-Wan Revolutionary Base Area. Underground Party activities began here as early as 1924, the first Party organization was established in 1926, and the county Soviet government was formed in 1930. During the arduous years of war, the people of Huoqiu fought bravely one after another, with over 2,700 outstanding sons and daughters sacrificing their lives for the country. The county also produced 12 generals of the People's Republic, including Tao Yong and Yang Guofu.

In 1964, the then Commander of the Nanjing Military Region — visited Huoqiu for an inspection. Recalling the revolutionary struggle history of Huoqiu, he believed that a memorial tower should be built to honor the martyrs and educate future generations. That year, with approval from the Anhui Provincial People's Committee, 25 mu of land were allocated to construct the Martyrs' Tower, which was completed in 1965.

The Martyrs' Tower is located in the eastern suburbs of Huoqiu County, at the eastern end of Donghu Road. The base of the tower has a circumference of 49 meters and the tower itself stands 21 meters tall. Atop the tower sits a five-pointed red star, and the front of the tower is inscribed with ten large characters personally written by Marshal —: “Huoqiu County Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Tower.” The front of the tower’s base bears an inscription from the county Party committee and government. The area around the tower is lined with evergreen pine and cypress trees.

In 1985, a 50-square-meter Martyrs' Deeds Exhibition Room was added to the cemetery, dedicated to displaying the ashes, photos, and relics of 19 Huoqiu natives who bravely sacrificed their lives during the defense operations against Vietnam, including Liu Huo and Bai Qunhe. In 2000, after the death of Li Xuexian, a veteran Red Army soldier from Huoqiu and former Vice Chairman of the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee, his tombstone and statue were also placed in the cemetery, adding a new landmark to the site.

Huoqiu County Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery is a serene, elegant, solemn, and respectful place — an ideal destination for paying tribute to the martyrs, sightseeing, and leisure.