Zaozhuang Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery

Zaozhuang Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery

The Zaozhuang Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery is a cultural tourism attraction, a classic red tourism site, and a patriotic education base.

To commemorate the revolutionary martyrs who bravely sacrificed their lives for the revolutionary struggle and liberation of Zaozhuang in various historical periods, to honor their legacy, educate future generations, and strengthen the building of socialist spiritual civilization, the Zaozhuang Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery was planned in September 1987 and completed in March 1989.

The cemetery is located south of Guangming Square in the urban area, covering an area of 41.5 mu with a built-up area of over 900 square meters. The main gate is a classical-style structure, grand and majestic, complementing the memorial monument. The inscription "Zaozhuang Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery" was penned by the renowned poet, former acting head and then Minister of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee, and former Minister of Culture, He Jingzhi. The cemetery is well-planned, with a serene environment and fresh air. Through recent greening and construction efforts, it has begun to take shape.

Within the cemetery stands the "Canal Detachment Anti-Japanese Martyrs Memorial Monument Pavilion" (Huailie Pavilion), covering an area of 900 square meters. The pavilion is a wooden, classical-style structure, 10.2 meters high with a circumference of 110 meters. The monument is made of gray granite, dignified, simple, and profound, reflecting the revolutionary beliefs and willpower of the martyrs. The ground and railing around the pavilion are constructed from white granite, symbolizing the noble spirit of the martyrs who selflessly devoted themselves to the cause of national liberation. Pine and peach trees surround the pavilion, signifying the everlasting spirit of the revolutionary martyrs. On the east side of the gate, there is an exhibition board showcasing the heroic deeds and historical materials of exemplary figures from various periods in Zaozhuang.

The southern part of the cemetery is the burial area, featuring a scenic-style graveyard that houses the remains of 262 martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the "Guandi Tragedy," the battle for the liberation of Zaozhuang, and the battle to capture Zaozhuang during the Southern Shandong Campaign. In the eastern part of the cemetery, over 500,000 yuan has been invested to build a martyrs’ stele corridor, 30 meters long and 5 meters wide. It also features the tombstones of famous martyrs such as "Youth Combat Hero" An Baoquan and "Demolition Hero" Ma Lixun. Towering pine and cypress trees surround the corridor, expressing the people’s remembrance of the martyrs.

In the southern part of the square stands a horizontal Revolutionary Martyrs' Memorial Monument inscribed by the late Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Li Xiannian. The monument is 15 meters long and 5 meters high, with a magnificent and imposing appearance. The monument embodies people’s infinite grief and reverence for the revolutionary martyrs. It also serves as a reassurance to the spirits of the martyrs that their legacy will be carried on and their unfinished mission fulfilled.

Since its establishment, the cemetery has received hundreds of thousands of visitors each year who come to pay their respects and mourn. It fully commemorates Tomb-Sweeping Day and Martyrs' Memorial Day activities. It serves not only as a place for the people of Zaozhuang to remember the martyrs but also as a site for patriotic and revolutionary tradition education for future generations, earning praise from the general public and people from all walks of life. With the care and support of leaders at all levels and the broader public, the Zaozhuang Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery adheres to the principle of "honoring the martyrs and educating future generations," striving to make the cemetery both a sacred site for honoring the martyrs and a popular destination for visitors.