Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery

Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery

The Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery is a national AAA-level tourist attraction, a major historical and cultural site protected at the national level, a classic red tourism destination, and a patriotic education base.

The Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery, commonly referred to as the Martyrs' Cemetery, also known as the Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall, is located in the southern suburbs of Honghu City, approximately 1.5 kilometers from the city center. It covers an area of 40 hectares.

In October 1978, the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China decided to build the cemetery to commemorate veteran proletarian revolutionaries such as He Long, Zhou Yiqun, and Duan Dechang, as well as the revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area. The cemetery was completed on November 10, 1984.

Walking along Youth Road, you will be greeted by a quaint and elegant four-pillar, three-bay green-tiled memorial archway with red pillars, flying eaves, and upturned rafters right at the entrance. The plaque above the archway bears the name of the "Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery," inscribed by the former President of China. A straight 8-meter-wide, 900-meter-long Youth Road leads from the gate to the foot of the memorial monument. Tall, straight poplar trees on both sides are neatly arranged to form a green corridor. Sunlight filters through the dense leaves onto Youth Road, creating a vibrant atmosphere. 131 meters directly in front of the monument stands a full-body bronze statue of Marshal He Long, designed by the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution. Unveiled on March 27, 1996, with the approval of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the statue was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Marshal He Long’s birth. The statue is 4 meters tall and weighs 2.4 tons, while the pedestal is 3.22 meters high, symbolizing the date of Marshal He Long’s birth. The pedestal is elevated by seven steps, representing the seven years that Marshal He Long fought to establish the Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area with the Honghu Base as its center. The total height of 8.1 meters symbolizes Marshal He Long’s role as the commander-in-chief of the Nanchang Uprising on August 1. In December 1995, General Secretary Jiang Zemin personally inscribed the name "Marshal He Long" on the plaque above the pedestal. The statue is surrounded by 100 dragon cypresses, with the bronze figure of Marshal He Long standing proudly amidst the lush greenery.

In the vast and silent square in front of the monument, a 27.6-meter-high granite memorial tower stands at the center of the cemetery. The front of the tower, facing north, is inscribed with the twelve large characters: "Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area Revolutionary Martyrs Monument." The back, facing south, bears an inscription by Marshal He Long: "The deeds of the revolutionary martyrs inspire us to forge ahead forever." The upper parts of the east and west sides of the tower are adorned with decorative patterns consisting of the emblem of the Communist Party of China, five stars, narrow tassels, and red flags. The square base of the tower is engraved with the inscription written by the State Council.

120 meters west of the monument is a solemn and resplendent martyrs' shrine with traditional upturned eaves and a classical, magnificent golden design. The central hall of the shrine is the mourning hall, where a golden plaque inscribed with "Eternal Glory to the Revolutionary Martyrs of the Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area" hangs above. Below the plaque are wreaths and flower baskets offered by national leaders including Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, Madame Xue Ming, the wife of Marshal He Long, as well as various people's organizations and individuals from all walks of life. In front of the hall is displayed a list of martyrs from over 50 counties and cities in Hunan and Hubei Provinces, adding a particularly solemn and respectful atmosphere to the bright and spacious mourning hall. Four exhibition rooms on both sides of the mourning hall display the portraits, some personal belongings, and life stories of 102 martyrs.

140 meters east of the monument is an elegantly designed, simple yet dignified two-story square flat-roofed exhibition hall. The entire hall showcases the history of the Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area during the Second Revolutionary Civil War period, vividly and comprehensively presenting the glorious journey of the revolutionary struggle of the people in the Xiang-E-Xi region. At the entrance of the hall are large portraits of the founders of the Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Revolutionary Base—He Long, Zhou Yiqun, and Duan Dechang. On both sides are three-dimensional models of the military flags of the Second Front Army and the Second Corps of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. Five exhibition rooms are arranged according to themes: "The Beginning of the Armed Struggle in the Xiang-E-Xi Region," "The Expansion of the Red Army and the Establishment of the Revolutionary Base," "The Victories in the Anti-Encirclement Campaigns in the Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area," "Land Revolution and Various Construction Efforts," and "The Failure of the Fourth Anti-Encirclement Campaign and the Loss of the Soviet Area." These rooms display detailed historical materials, precious photos, and artifacts, including resolutions and documents from various meetings of the Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Party, government, and military, the program of the workers' and peasants' armed forces, slogans and banners written by the Red Army, leaflets distributed in the Soviet Area, victory reports, and various weapons used by the Red Army and guerrilla forces. These preserved revolutionary relics—including bloodstained clothes, yellowed printed materials, membership cards, and appointment letters—lie quietly in glass cases, encapsulating countless timeless stories. On the second floor of the exhibition hall are telegrams and congratulatory messages from across the country, donated souvenirs, as well as calligraphy works left by central leaders of the Communist Party of China, international friends, and distinguished scholars after visiting the cemetery.

The cemetery faces the river and overlooks the lake, with green shades covering the embankments, clear skies, and pristine waters, creating a picturesque scene. In October 1986, it was approved by the State Council as a "National Key Martyrs' Memorial Building Protection Unit." In March 1959, it was designated by the Hubei Provincial Government as a "Provincial Patriotic Traditional Education Base for Youth." Recently, 17 tourist attractions have been developed, including the River-Watching Pavilion, Waterfowl Palace, and Fountain Pool.

The western side of the cemetery borders Honghu Lake, where visitors can take a small boat to enjoy the lake view. To the south lies the Yangtze River, with Yueyang Tower and surrounding mountains visible in the distance upstream, and the ancient Three Kingdoms battlefield sites of Chibi and Wulin connected downstream.

Address: Southwest of Xinti Town, Honghu City, Jingzhou

Type: Memorial Hall