Guangchang County Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall

Guangchang County Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall

The Guangchang County Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall is a classic red tourism destination.

The Guangchang County Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall is located on the banks of the Xujian River. It sits on a small hill covered with lush pines and cypresses in a beautiful environment, northwest of the central thoroughfare in the county town. To commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Second Revolutionary Civil War in our county, the People's Government of Jiangxi Province decided to construct the memorial hall in November 1956, and it was completed in 1958. The memorial grounds feature a statue of a Red Army soldier and a martyrs' cemetery, covering a total area of 270,000 square meters. In 1986, the exhibition content was updated to showcase the deeds of over eighty notable martyrs.

The memorial hall is a single-story palace-style building, 20 meters high, with a construction area of 249.9 square meters. It has a simple and solemn appearance. The horizontal plaque above the entrance corridor is inscribed with ten golden characters reading “Guangchang County Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall.” On both sides of the gate are carved Chairman Mao’s words: “Live a great life, die a glorious death.” In front of the hall are small gardens that remain verdant all year round. Leading down from the front are steps that descend to a golden statue monument, while behind the hall lies a yurt-style martyrs' cemetery.

The interior of the hall consists of five parts: the main hall and four exhibition rooms on its left and right. The center of the main hall features a preface, briefly describing the history of the revolutionary struggle in Guangchang, the evolution of the memorial hall, and an overview of the updated exhibitions. On both sides are displayed 51 cultural relics used during the Soviet Area period, including ration coupons and weapons. The main wall provides a detailed account of the Battle of Gaohu Nao, featuring an oil painting of the fierce battle and an inscription by Comrade Zhang Zhen: “Salute to the martyrs who fought tenaciously and bravely slew the enemy in the hard-fought Battle of Gaohu Nao,” as well as a victory song by Comrade Liu Zhijian celebrating the triumph. The Battle of Gaohu Nao was a crucial campaign in defending the Central Soviet Area and blocking the enemy’s advance toward the Red Capital Ruijin along the main road. Under the leadership of comrades Peng Dehuai and Chen Ajin, in mid-July 1934, the 34th Division of the Fifth Red Army Corps and the 15th Division of the First Red Army Corps were deployed around Gaohu Nao. From the end of July to early August, three battles were fought at Gaohu Nao, Wannianting, and Dazhaínǎo, eliminating over 9,000 enemy troops and delivering a heavy blow to the enemy, buying crucial time for the strategic transfer of the main Red Army forces. During this battle, over 2,300 Red Army soldiers, including Comrade Chen Ajin, political commissar of the 5th Division, sacrificed their lives heroically.

The first exhibition room is located on the right side of the main hall, covering an area of 13 square meters. It mainly displays the founding of the first Party branch in Guangchang County—the Ku Zhu Party Committee—and the first and second congresses of Guangchang County, along with brief biographies of 25 martyrs, including Huang Guiqiu, the first Party branch secretary.

The second exhibition room is adjacent to the first and primarily exhibits the revolutionary struggles, photos, and 10 personal belongings of 36 martyrs who died around the time of the Fifth Encirclement and Suppression Campaign, such as Rao Fulin, Gu Zuolin, Li Pengju, and Wei Guiying.

The third exhibition room is located on the right side of the main hall, opposite the second exhibition room, and focuses on the illustrious deeds of martyr Fu Zhuting, former political commissar of the Haibin District and also a - (party-related role). Fu Zhuting was born in 1912, orphaned at a young age, joined the Red Army in 1928, and became a member of the Chinese Communist Party in the same year. In 1929, he was promoted to political officer of an independent regiment battalion and later the 21st Regiment. After the Red Army reorganization in 1932, he served as political commissar of the 1st Regiment of the 1st Division. Fu Zhuting was brave and resolute, always leading from the front and leading his troops to many victories. During the famous Battle of Jigong Mountain, he commanded a battalion to fight off a superior enemy force for several days, securing victory. In 1941, Fu Zhuting led the 2nd Brigade of the 115th Division from southern Shandong eastward to Haibin, launching the Qingkou Campaign, followed by the Rectification Movement and the Great Production Movement, which helped the army overcome the hardships of the anti-Japanese war. In November 1943, together with Haibin District Commander Chen Shiju, he successfully led the Ganyu Campaign, achieving a brilliant victory and liberating Ganyu City. Tragically, after the battle, Fu Zhuting was fatally shot by a small group of raiding enemies on November 26, 1943. This room also displays the martyr’s portrait and personal items, as well as inscriptions mourning Fu Zhuting by leaders such as - and Gu Mu, and commemorative articles written by the Haibin Committee and the Red Star newspaper.

The fourth exhibition room is located next to the third exhibition room, opposite the first, and mainly showcases the life stories of four deceased veteran Red Army soldiers from Guangchang, including Fu Biao and Li Bu’gao, for visitors to pay tribute.

The revolutionary martyrs statue is situated 100 meters in front of the memorial hall, standing 8 meters tall and covering an area of 23 square meters. Built in 1976, it features a stone base and a statue above depicting a Red Army soldier and a farmer united as one, symbolizing solidarity during wartime.

The martyrs' cemetery is a brick-and-concrete structure with a round arch design, located behind the memorial hall. It stands 2 meters high, with the central tombstone engraved in bold black characters reading “Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery.” On either side are inscribed Chairman Mao’s words: “Live a great life, die a glorious death.” At the top of the tomb is a red torch sculpture, which stands out vividly against the surrounding green trees and lawns. This memorial hall is grand, majestic, solemn, and shaded by lush pines and cypresses, set within beautiful surroundings. In 1987, it was designated by the People's Government of Jiangxi Province as a key protected martyrs' memorial site.