Museum of Revolutionary Martyrs of Rehe

Museum of Revolutionary Martyrs of Rehe

The Museum of Revolutionary Martyrs of Rehe is a classic site on China's red tourism routes.

The Museum of Revolutionary Martyrs of Rehe was built under the resolution of the Third Session of the First People’s Congress of the former Rehe Province. It was constructed in 1956 and officially opened to the public in 1964. Spanning 80,000 square meters, the museum features a 31.6-meter-high memorial monument covering 1,200 square meters and three exhibition halls totaling 1,500 square meters. It receives over 160,000 visitors annually for commemorative and touristic purposes. It has been designated as a patriotic education base by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Hebei Provincial Party Committee and Government, and the Chengde Municipal Government, and is recognized as a Hebei Provincial Civilized Unit.

Since its establishment, the Museum of Revolutionary Martyrs of Rehe has consistently adhered to the mission of "honoring martyrs and educating the public." It has welcomed over 3 million visitors to date, achieving significant social impact. Particularly since the reform and opening-up period, the museum has focused on promoting patriotism through proactive outreach and educational programs. It has organized diverse educational activities to honor the martyrs’ spirit, inspiring the public—especially youth—to learn from their examples and cultivate a sense of responsibility and mission toward the nation and its people. Through continuous efforts in upgrading both hardware and software facilities, the museum has partnered with more than ten universities, local military units, and enterprises as patriotic education bases since 1995. It has also established moral education partnerships with six primary and secondary schools. It has now become an ideal venue that combines education with sightseeing.

Main Functional Area – Monument

The Monument to the Revolutionary Martyrs of Rehe is located within the Museum of Revolutionary Martyrs of Rehe in the Songhe Hill area of Chengde city. It is one of the main structures of the museum and also serves as an important venue for various commemorative events. Built in 1957, the monument covers 1,200 square meters, stands 31.6 meters tall, and rests atop two tiers of stone railings, constructed entirely from granite. Its architectural style, form, and white marble reliefs are identical to those of the Monument to the People’s Heroes in Tiananmen Square. The front of the monument bears eight golden characters inscribed by Marshal Zhu De: “Eternal Glory to the Revolutionary Martyrs,” while the back features an inscription by the Rehe Provincial Party Committee and Government. The construction of the Monument to the Revolutionary Martyrs of Rehe embodies the might of China and the spirit of revolutionary heroes. On April 5, 1964, Qingming Festival, the museum held its completion ceremony and a public memorial service.

Main Functional Area – Exhibition Halls

The exhibition area of the Museum of Revolutionary Martyrs of Rehe consists of three halls, covering a total area of 1,600 square meters, including a main hall and two auxiliary halls to the north and south. These are traditional-style antique quadrangle buildings with large roofs, glazed tiles, and ornamental ridge decorations, facing east. The current exhibitions were redesigned in 2003 and officially opened to the public on Qingming Festival in 2004. Two of the halls showcase the revolutionary struggle history of the people of Rehe in their fight for national independence and against foreign aggression, as well as the revolutionary deeds of some martyrs. The exhibition route extends over 200 linear meters, displaying more than 100 cultural relics and over 200 photographs. The third hall hosts a special photo exhibition commemorating the 65th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Visitor and Leisure Area Along the Pathway

Ascending ninety-eight steps, visitors are greeted by a hundred-meter-long tree-lined pathway flanked by pines and cypresses. On either side are the reception office and the Museum History Exhibition Room. The pathway is shaded by lush trees and greenery, with peony and peony-root gardens adding vibrant colors. Two classical-style memorial pavilions, the “Fragrant Legacy Pavilion” and the “Admiration Pavilion,” stand on either side, providing resting spots for visitors while symbolizing the “fragrant legacy” left by the martyrs and the “admiration” felt by future generations for the countless heroes who sacrificed for the nation and the revolution. To the west of the Admiration Pavilion stands a statue depicting martyr Dong Cunrui’s heroic act of sacrificing himself to blow up an enemy bunker, vividly recreating his selfless patriotism.

Main Entrance and Approach Stairway of the Museum

The Museum of Revolutionary Martyrs of Rehe is situated in the renowned historical and cultural city of Chengde, Hebei Province, covering an area of 80,000 square meters. Construction began in 1956, and the museum officially opened in 1964. The name of the museum was inscribed by Li Yunchang, former Chairman of the Rehe Provincial Government. The museum gate was renovated in 2009 using granite, giving it a more solemn and classic appearance. Upon entering the gate and ascending the ninety-eight steps, visitors are filled with deep reverence for the revolutionary martyrs. The stone staircase was reconstructed from the original structure built by Japanese forces during their occupation of Rehe in the 1930s for a loyalty pagoda. Though modified several times and now quite different from its original form, a 3-meter section of the original stone steps has been preserved in the middle, silently recounting the turbulent war years and serving as a reminder for people not to forget history and to reflect on the lessons of the past.