Martyrs' Cemetery of the Shanggao Battle

Martyrs' Cemetery of the Shanggao Battle

The Martyrs' Cemetery of the Shanggao Battle is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, a classic red tourism attraction, and a patriotic education base.

The Martyrs' Cemetery of the Shanggao Battle, located near Jing Mountain in the eastern suburbs of the county town, was built in 1991 to commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Anti-Japanese Shanggao Battle. The cemetery's layout follows the design principles of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, divided into three terraced levels that rise progressively. The entrance features an antique-style archway, atop which is inscribed in seal script thirteen large characters reading “Martyrs' Cemetery of the Shanggao Anti-Japanese Battle,” handwritten by former Defense Minister Zhang Aiping. The cemetery has a total of 128 steps, divided into five tiers, each separated by resting platforms. Surrounded by lush pine and cypress trees and green lawns, the site exudes solemnity and serves as one of the county’s key bases for patriotic education. It is now a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit. In 1996, the Yichun Regional Party Committee Propaganda Department designated it as a regional patriotic education base. Potential development projects include constructing a memorial hall for the Shanggao Battle martyrs, renovating the cemetery, and building walls, parking lots, and other facilities.

The Shanggao Battle was a major engagement on the frontal battlefield during the War of Resistance Against Japan and holds an important place in the history of the national resistance. In March 1941, Japanese forces attempted to capture Shanggao, the headquarters of the Chinese Army’s 19th Group Army. Advancing from Xinyu and Qingjiang, they crossed the Gan River to the east, harassing Zhangshu and Fengcheng, and looting supplies to consolidate their hold on Nanchang and secure the connection between Hunan and Jiangxi. The Japanese forces involved included the 34th, 33rd Divisions and the 20th Independent Mixed Brigade, totaling 42,000 troops. During the Shanggao Battle, the underground Communist organization in Shanggao mobilized 30,000 local civilians to undertake tasks such as sabotaging transportation, transporting supplies, providing medical aid, conducting reconnaissance, acting as guides, building bridges, setting up communication lines, and comforting wounded soldiers. These efforts ensured the supply of military rations and supplementary food, making a significant contribution to the victory of the Shanggao Battle.

In May 2013, the State Council (State Council Document [2013] No. 13) listed the Martyrs' Cemetery of the Shanggao Battle as part of the seventh group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units