Ji Hongchang Stele Forest

Ji Hongchang Stele Forest

The Ji Hongchang Stele Forest is a cultural tourism attraction.

In 1996, after retiring, Mr. Li Yangqin, Vice Chairman of the Fugou County Calligraphers Association and a member of the county Political Consultative Conference, established the "Ji Hongchang Stele Forest" next to the former residence of the general in his hometown, Lutan Town. Initially, Li Yangqin funded the project with 20,000 yuan of his own money, purchasing raw steles and soliciting calligraphy and painting works from renowned artists and public figures across the country. Over two hundred steles were engraved. His initiative received strong support from the county federation of literary and art circles, which reported on it in “Pan District Literature and Art” and published advertisements soliciting works for the stele forest. This drew attention from all sectors of society. The Party Committee and government of Lutan Township called on the local residents to donate over 100,000 yuan to the stele forest construction fund and allocated three acres of land for the site. By the first half of 1998, more than 300 steles had been completed, featuring the late general Ji Hongchang’s calligraphy, such as the Wei-style inscription “National Soul” and his execution poem commemorating the martyrs of the Xinhai Revolution (calligraphy by Li Yangqin), as well as inscriptions by party and state leaders, and fine artworks by celebrated painters and calligraphers.

After its completion, the Ji Hongchang Stele Forest not only became a platform for promoting the heroic deeds of General Ji Hongchang and fostering patriotism, but also developed into a tourist attraction in the martyr’s hometown. It has played a positive role in advancing both material and spiritual civilization.

Source: Fugou Government Affairs Website

Ji Hongchang

In 1895, in the backyard of a small teahouse owned by the Ji family in Lutan Town, Fugou County, Henan Province, a boy was born and named Hongchang. For Hongchang’s father, Ji Yunting, the addition to the family was a joy, but also meant another mouth to feed. Ji Hongchang managed to reach the age of 18, just as Feng Yuxiang was recruiting soldiers in Henan, so he signed up for the army, thus beginning his lifelong military career.

From an early age, Ji Hongchang regarded heroes such as Yue Fei and Wen Tianxiang as his role models. As a result, he was sincere in his dealings with others, hardworking, strictly adhered to military discipline, and was brave and skilled in battle... More details about Ji Hongchang ++