Monument to Revolutionary Martyrs in Hongchang

Monument to Revolutionary Martyrs in Hongchang

The Monument to Revolutionary Martyrs in Hongchang is a classic red tourism attraction and a patriotic education base.

To commemorate the revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Dasha Mountain area of Cha, Pu, and Hui during the First Revolutionary Civil War and the Agrarian Revolutionary Period, the People’s Committee of Chaoyang County erected this monument on December 21, 1963, at the northern foot of Fei’e Mountain in Hongchang Square, Hongchang Town, on the site of revolutionary relics. The monument faces northwest and is constructed from reinforced concrete. The base is 2.28 meters high, while the main body is a frustum-shaped column, standing 10.2 meters tall, with a top cross-section side length of 1 meter and a bottom cross-section side length of 2 meters. At the top of the monument is a bas-relief five-pointed star. The front of the inscription reads “Monument to Revolutionary Martyrs,” while the back features the monument’s commemorative text.

In 1927, to support the Nanchang Uprising and the Guangzhou Uprising and to carry out revolutionary struggles, Dasha Mountain became a revolutionary base and served for a long time as one of the centers of the Dongjiang Revolutionary Base. Under the leadership of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the Dongjiang Special Committee, Dasha Mountain continuously expanded its armed forces, employed guerrilla tactics, resisted the reactionary rule of the Kuomintang with revolutionary arms, actively expanded the revolutionary base, strengthened political power construction, enlarged the armed forces, and established Soviet political power, effectively supporting the Nanchang and Guangzhou Uprisings. From 1927 to 1935, the military and civilians of the Dasha Mountain base endured eight years of arduous and heroic struggle, keeping the revolutionary flag flying. This greatly supported struggles in other revolutionary bases and made Dasha Mountain a forward stronghold—the southern shield—of the Central Revolutionary Base. In 1935, the Kuomintang reactionaries launched a massive “encirclement and suppression” campaign, inflicting heavy losses on the revolutionary forces. The Red Army was forced to undertake a strategic retreat, and the base was lost. During the War of Resistance Against Japan and the Liberation War, the flames of revolution reignited. The CCP organizations in Chaoshan re-entered Dasha Mountain and established anti-Japanese guerrilla bases. With their glorious revolutionary traditions, the military and civilians of Dasha Mountain, under the leadership of the local Party organization, implemented the Anti-Japanese National United Front. They fought against Japanese invaders, overthrew the reactionary rule of the Kuomintang, eliminated the enemy, and liberated Chaoshan, composing a brilliant chapter in the revolutionary struggle of Dasha Mountain with their blood and selfless dedication.

To commemorate the revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Dasha Mountain area during the Great Revolution and the Agrarian Revolutionary War, this Revolutionary Martyrs Monument was established here in 1963. Green hills bury loyal bones, and bronze and iron forge unyielding faith. Due to historical reasons, although provincial authorities confirmed that more than 700 martyrs had died in Dasha Mountain after liberation, only the remains of over 400 martyrs were collected by the time the monument was completed and were buried at the foot of the nearby Fei’e Mountain. Facilities around the monument also include Hongchang Square, Chihua Drama Troupe, and Jifu Charitable Hall. Hongchang Square was created in 1931 when the county committee and the Soviet government leveled a piece of flat land at the foot of the mountain-surrounded Fei’e Mountain, building a simple stage, sports field, and swing area. A stonemason named Weng Qian carved the large slogan “Consolidate the Soviet Political Power” on a nearby boulder and cut 16 stone steps leading to the top of the boulder, turning it into a natural parade ground. Since then, Hongchang has become the political and cultural center of the Soviet area, where drills, parades, rallies, and recreational and cultural activities were held. The Chihua Drama Troupe was formed in the autumn of 1930 when the Cha-Pu-Hui Soviet government recruited 30 members from local folk opera troupes and rural music groups to form the Nanshan Bai Opera Team, which was later renamed the Chihua Drama Troupe. With over 60 members, the troupe not only performed at the Hongchang stage but also toured various villages in the base for propaganda performances, playing an important role in mobilizing the revolution. The Jifu Charitable Hall was established during the low tide of the revolution when the Kuomintang carried out large-scale “encirclement and suppression” campaigns in Dasha Mountain. Some elderly, weak, sick, and disabled Dongjiang revolutionaries (most of whom had followed Comrade Peng Pai to Dasha Mountain) disguised themselves as charitable hall personnel and stayed behind. They were responsible for rescuing revolutionaries arrested by the Kuomintang army or relaying messages for hidden comrades, turning the site into a secret liaison point for the Party.

Due to its profound historical and contemporary significance, the Monument to Revolutionary Martyrs in Dasha Mountain was designated by the People’s Government of Guangdong Province as a Key Protected Monument of Guangdong in October 1988. In 1995, it was also recognized as a Patriotic Education Base of Shantou City. Hongchang Square was rated as a Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Address: Northern Foot of Fei’e Mountain, Hongchang Town, Chaoyang District