Xingtai Earthquake Memorial Monument

Xingtai Earthquake Memorial Monument

The Xingtai Earthquake Memorial Monument is a cultural tourism attraction.

On March 8, 1966, a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Baijiazhai area in the eastern part of Longyao County. After the quake, the Premier braved the aftershocks and visited the disaster site three times, inspecting and comforting the affected residents in Baijiazhai, the hardest-hit area.

Near the 20th anniversary of the Xingtai Earthquake in late February 1987, the Xingtai Earthquake Memorial Monument was completed on the east side of Longyao County. The then President of China inscribed the name of the monument.

The Xingtai Earthquake Memorial Monument site covers an area of 16.8 mu, measuring 160 meters from north to south and 70 meters from east to west, with a total construction area of 1,120 square meters. The project was designed by the Xingtai Regional Real Estate Company and constructed by the Longyao County Construction Company, and was completed in five months.

The Xingtai Earthquake Memorial Monument is located in the southern part of the site. Its structure consists of reinforced concrete cylindrical columns, clad in two-tone Taishan red granite slabs, forming a square pyramid that stands atop a 30-meter-wide, 35-meter-long, and 1.32-meter-high base built with rough stones. The monument itself is 19.66 meters tall, symbolizing the year of the earthquake, 1966. On both sides of the monument are “人”-shaped protrusions, representing the resilient will of the disaster victims who believed in “man’s ability to conquer nature.” The front of the monument bears seven gilded characters inscribed by the President, reading “Xingtai Earthquake Memorial Monument.” The back features 16 striking characters outlining the relief policy proposed by the Premier during his visit to the disaster zone: “Self-reliance, striving for strength, developing production, and rebuilding homes.”

The base of the monument is 1.4 meters high and 8.2 meters square, inlaid with bluish-white jade along its perimeter. The front is engraved with an inscription, while the sides and back feature three bas-relief line carvings titled “Tragedy,” “Rescue,” and “Reconstruction.”

At the front of the platform is a 10-meter-wide staircase divided into two sections: the first has three steps, and the second has eight, symbolizing March 8, 1966, the date of the earthquake. The other three sides each have 12 steps, representing support from all directions.

In front of the Xingtai Earthquake Memorial Monument, flowers bloom vibrantly and pine and cypress trees stand lush and green. Behind the monument is an Earthquake Information Exhibition Hall, with an artificial lake between the monument and the hall. A bridge pavilion spans the lake, allowing visitors to walk across.

The completion of the Xingtai Earthquake Memorial Monument serves as a heartfelt tribute and consolation to those who lost their lives in the earthquake, as well as a true record of this natural disaster.

It provides valuable material for future generations to study and research earthquake patterns.

During the mourning period for the 5.12 Earthquake, fifth and sixth grade students from Baijiazhai Middle School held mourning activities, speeches, and donation drives in front of the memorial monument.