Ningming Martyrs' Cemetery

Ningming Martyrs' Cemetery

Ningming Martyrs' Cemetery is a classic red tourism destination.

Located in the southwestern suburbs of the county town, Ningming Martyrs' Cemetery sits on Nala Mountain behind the Ningming County Transportation Bureau along National Highway 322. Covering an area of 18.9 mu with a construction area of 4,900 square meters, it is a regional-level protected site and an important national defense and patriotic education base in Ningming County. Construction began on September 10, 1988, and was completed on April 5 of the following year. Upon completion, the remains of martyrs originally buried in the Tongmian, Zhilang, and Beishan cemeteries along the border during the counterattack in self-defense were relocated here, along with the remains of all revolutionary martyrs laid to rest across the county. Over the past twenty-plus years, with the care and support of higher-level Party committees, governments, and people from all walks of life, the Ningming County Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery has undergone multiple renovations. Lush pines and cypresses create a serene yet solemn environment, combining national defense education, patriotic education, and leisure activities for residents. It has become a window showcasing the spirit of the people living along China’s southern border.

The cemetery features a natural terraced layout, higher at the back and lower at the front. Its main structures consist of the entrance gate, central square, memorial monument, and martyrs’ tombs. The main gate is a grand, south-facing, north-opening antique-style archway. At either end stand marble and white granite stone lions, majestic and imposing. The plaque in the center of the archway is inscribed with “Ningming County Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery” in black characters. At the center of the cemetery stands the martyrs’ memorial monument. Towering and solemn, the monument rises 18 meters high and is constructed from 138 pieces of granite. Shaped like the muzzle of a rifle pointing upward, the upper-middle section is hollow and carved with the head of a soldier wearing a helmet, symbolizing the martyrs’ noble spirit of sacrifice—always guarding this beautiful southern land, in life and in death. The front of the monument bears the inscription “Eternal Glory to the Revolutionary Martyrs,” written by Zhong Jiazu, former member of the Standing Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Regional Political Consultative Conference, and current council member of the China Calligraphers Association and Chairman of the Guangxi Calligraphers Association. The back features an inscription composed and engraved by the Ningming County Party Committee and County Government. In front of the monument lies the central square, flanked on both sides by statues of martyrs who sacrificed in different periods.

The martyrs’ tomb area is located at the southern end of the cemetery and consists of four large collective burial sites, with a total of 787 tombstones commemorating 794 revolutionary martyrs (one tomb is a shared grave). Most of the martyrs died in combat against Vietnam after 1979, while others are from various historical periods. The martyrs’ tomb area, situated at the southern end of the cemetery, includes four large collective burial sites with a total of 787 tombs for 794 martyrs, including: 1 from Beijing, 1 from Shanxi, 1 from Jilin, 1 from Liaoning, 4 from Hainan, 6 from Yunnan, 9 from Hebei, 10 from Shaanxi, 10 from Zhejiang, 10 from Chongqing, 11 from Guizhou, 16 from Anhui, 22 from Jiangxi, 23 from Fujian, 29 from Jiangsu, 33 from Shandong, 47 from Hunan, 43 from Sichuan, 110 from Guangdong, 114 from Hubei, 126 from Guangxi, 151 from Henan, and 16 with unknown places of origin.

Among all the heroes, some of the more notable include Zhou Yuan, Yi Wanlan, Huang Zirong, Wu Jianguo, Liang Yingrui, Hao Xiuchang, Fu Yueqiang, Lin Dexian, Wang Shuicheng, and Ding Shunmao. Among them, General Zhou Yuan was a renowned commander who died in the War of Resistance against Japan; Yi Wanlan was a pioneer of the peasant movement during the Great Revolution; Huang Zirong was a Red Army commander who died during the Long March; and Wu Jianguo, Liang Yingrui, Hao Xiuchang, Fu Yueqiang, Lin Dexian, Wang Shuicheng, and Ding Shunmao were heroes of the counterattack in self-defense against Vietnam, honored as “Combat Heroes” by the People’s Republic.

Military unit designations appearing in Ningming Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery include: Units 52603, 53354, 53355, 53356, 53357, 53362, 53301, 53304, 53305, 53306, 53307, 53308, 53309, 53311, 53312, 53564, 53565, 53566, 54202, 54209, 54257, 56037, 0993 (Donglang Militia Battalion), and the Second Militia Support Battalion of Binyang County.

“Here in these green hills lie loyal bones; the martyrs’ noble spirit soars like a rainbow.” The patriotism, internationalism, and communist spirit of the martyrs have erected a towering monument in the hearts of the people. During every holiday, people from across the country come to pay their respects at Ningming County Martyrs' Cemetery. Every year on Tomb-Sweeping Day, the Ningming County Party Committee and County Government organize cadres and employees from Party, government, military, and enterprise units, as well as teachers, students, and representatives from all walks of life, to stand in solemn formation before the monument. They offer wreaths, observe moments of silence, swear oaths, honor the deeds of the martyrs, and inherit their legacy. As an important patriotic education base, Ningming County Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery continues to play an increasingly vital role.