Xiangxi Bandit Suppression Martyrs Memorial Park

Xiangxi Bandit Suppression Martyrs Memorial Park

Xiangxi Bandit Suppression Martyrs Memorial Park is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province and a classic red tourism destination.

To commemorate the immortal achievements of the 47th Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in eradicating the century-long banditry in Xiangxi, and to honor the martyrs who bravely sacrificed their lives during the anti-bandit campaign, the Xiangxi Administrative Office held a meeting on December 26, 1950, deciding to transform the former Zhongshan Park—built during the Anti-Japanese War—on Wutong Mountain north of the old county seat of Yuanling into a Victory Park. The project commenced on January 1, 1951, and was completed on April 4 of the same year. On January 25, 1988, the People’s Government of Hunan Province renamed the Victory Park as Yuanling County Martyrs’ Cemetery, and later that year, it was officially designated as the Xiangxi Bandit Suppression Martyrs Memorial Park. It was listed as one of the 18 key martyrs’ memorial buildings under protection in Hunan Province and also recognized as a provincial-level key cultural relic protection unit. In October 1991, with the care and attention of the Provincial Department of Civil Affairs and through multiple rounds of negotiation and effort—including surveying, mapping, and compilation—the permanent archives for the memorial structures of the Xiangxi Bandit Suppression Martyrs Memorial Park were completed. This has played an important role in the protection of the memorial buildings and the planning and construction of the memorial park. In March 2009, the State Council further listed the memorial park as a national key martyrs’ memorial building protection unit. The Xiangxi Bandit Suppression Martyrs Memorial Park faces south and covers an area of 26,712.4 square meters. At its southern entrance stands the grand and imposing Victory Gate, inscribed with the personal calligraphy of Cao Lihuai, former commander of the 47th Army, who personally wrote the words “Victory Gate.” It symbolizes the complete victory of the people of Xiangxi in their struggle against imperialism and feudalism. To the north of the memorial park stands a 16-meter-high memorial tower, topped with a red star. The front of the tower is engraved with nine powerful characters written by Cao Lihuai: “Xiangxi Bandit Suppression Victory Memorial Tower.” At the base of the tower sits a 3.2-meter-tall statue of a PLA soldier, rebuilt in 1982. The statue, adorned with gold powder and holding a steel rifle, stands solemn and upright. Beneath the statue is an embedded copper plaque inscribed with the preface of the tower, expressing the gratitude of the people of Xiangxi toward the People’s Liberation Army and their remembrance of the martyrs who gave their lives. The other three sides of the tower base are inscribed with calligraphic works from prominent leaders including Huang Kecheng (former provincial party secretary), Wang Shoudao (former governor), Zhou Chiping (former party secretary of Xiangxi District and political commissar of the 47th Army), Huang Zhiyong (former commander of the provincial military region), Cao Lihuai (commander of the 47th Army), and Yan Fusheng (deputy commander of the 47th Army and director of the Xiangxi Administrative Office). Within the memorial park, there are four memorial pavilions, and six memorial steles are erected inside them. These stone tablets list the names of 1,005 People’s Liberation Army officers and local workers who sacrificed their lives during the anti-bandit campaign, commemorating their valor and ensuring their memory lives on forever. After the completion of the memorial tower, it has undergone several renovations and preservation efforts. The largest-scale maintenance took place in 2009 when the county civil affairs bureau secured 4.5 million yuan in funding to renovate the memorial tower, Victory Gate, and memorial pavilions, and to construct a new northern gate for the memorial park, along with a leisure corridor, leisure pavilions, and flower stands. Today, the memorial structures within the park stand majestic and solemn, while the leisure corridors and pavilions are neat and refreshing. The park is shaded by lush trees and equipped with sports fields and a gateball court. It serves as an important base for revolutionary tradition education, patriotic education, and inspirational education. Every year, around 300,000 visitors come to pay their respects. It is also an ideal destination for tourism, sports, leisure, and recreational activities.

Source: Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

Yuanling Town: Bordered by Liangshuijing Town to the east, Maxipu Town to the south, Taichang Township to the west, and Eryou Township to the north, Yuanling Town is the political, economic, and cultural center of the entire county. It enjoys a mid-subtropical monsoon humid climate, characterized by distinct seasons, abundant heat, concentrated rainfall, short cold periods, and long hot seasons. The town is rich in mineral resources such as gold, copper, and iron. It is home to more than 10 ethnic groups, including Han, Manchu, Hui, and Miao. With a current population of 135,000, Yuanling Town spans an area of 218.04 square kilometers and governs 25 village (residential) committees, including 15 community residential committees... More details about Yuanling Town++

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hunan Province