New Fourth Army Memorial Forest Scenic Area

New Fourth Army Memorial Forest Scenic Area

The New Fourth Army Memorial Forest Scenic Area is a classic red tourism destination.

The New Fourth Army Memorial Forest Scenic Area is located in the eastern part of Huainan City. National Highway 206 runs through the area, which is 15 kilometers from the city center. It is a tourist destination that combines commemoration, education, and leisure. Established in October 2002 at the joint initiative of the Huainan New Fourth Army History Research Association and the Huainan Municipal Party Committee Party History Research Office, the scenic area spans a total area of 43,333 square meters. The entire forest area is divided into four sections by a cross-shaped road. Due to the approximately 10-meter elevation difference between the top of Huaguo Mountain and the road surface, the main path features 37 steps and 5 platforms. The number of steps symbolizes the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War in 1937. Along both sides of the main path are stone tablets engraved with the New Fourth Army’s major events in chronological order and biographical introductions of its notable generals. At the top is a central platform measuring 20×20 meters, with the nine large characters “The Spirit of the New Fourth Army Shines Forever” inscribed on the front. The back features an introduction to the New Fourth Army, recounting its glorious history of fighting bravely and saving the nation during the war. Stone tablets bearing inscriptions from national leaders such as Mao Zedong, as well as famous battles and cautionary quotes, are placed along the main path, the “March East Corridor,” and the “March North Avenue” for visitors to admire, reflect upon, and contemplate. The memorial forest combines trees and monuments, with trees as the main feature—specifically a combination of ginkgo trees and lush pines and cypresses. Thousands of ginkgo trees are planted, categorized into four specifications: 24 trees with a diameter of about 30 cm, where the numbers 2 and 4 signify that the city and surrounding areas were once battlegrounds for the New Fourth Army’s 2nd and 4th Divisions. These 24 trees are divided into 3 groups of 8 each, representing the fact that the New Fourth Army was formed by soldiers from eight provinces—Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, and Guangdong—and fought for eight years during the war, establishing eight base areas. In addition, there are also planted cedar, magnolia, osmanthus, wintersweet, and red maple—varieties of prized ornamental trees—ensuring flowers bloom in all seasons and greenery year-round. The New Fourth Army Memorial Forest Scenic Area serves as a treasure trove of historical knowledge about the New Fourth Army, combining monuments and forest. It is an excellent site for patriotic education and a meaningful place for activities such as party and league membership oath ceremonies.

Visitor Information Center:

Phone: (0554) 3601207

Fax: (0554) 3601207