Shihao Red Army Martyrs' Cemetery

Shihao Red Army Martyrs' Cemetery

The Shihao Red Army Martyrs' Cemetery is a national AA-level tourist attraction, a cultural tourism site, a classic red tourism destination, and a patriotic education base.

The Shihao Red Army Martyrs' Cemetery is located in Shihao Town, Qijiang District, approximately 80 kilometers from downtown Qijiang, covering an area of about 5,533 square meters.

In January 1935, the Central Red Army arrived in Zunyi during the Long March, where the historically pivotal Zunyi Conference was held. Before the conference, over 8,000 soldiers of the First Red Army Corps, under the leadership of Zuo Quan, Luo Ruiqing, and Zhu Rui, crossed the Lou shan Pass, captured Tongzi, and advanced to Yangjiao at the Sichuan border. They held the critical mountain pass of Jiudianya on the Sichuan-Guizhou border, guarding against Sichuan troops and ensuring the smooth convening of the Zunyi Conference. After the conference, the First Red Army Corps was ordered to advance westward, passing through Shihao en route to Chishui. On January 15, after defeating the Guizhou Salt Defense Army and the Third Regiment, Eighth Battalion, Third Brigade of Liu Xiang’s Model Division at Songkan and Jiulongshan, the Corps set out from Songkan on January 21. Passing through Jian Touya, Lianghekou, Maogouya, and Daomakan, they arrived in Shihao. On January 22, the main force departed from Shihao and turned back toward Guizhou, eventually crossing the Chishui River at Tucheng in a victorious maneuver — known as the “First Chishui River Crossing.” During their passage through Shihao, five Red Army martyrs sacrificed their lives here. Notably, one Red Army quartermaster, while retreating from Jian Touya on January 21, was ordered to stay behind to return items borrowed from local residents. While returning a winnowing basket to the Zhao family, he was ambushed by the Salt Defense Army. Two Red Army soldiers and the quartermaster fought bravely but were eventually overwhelmed due to being heavily outnumbered. One soldier was killed, another injured, and the quartermaster was captured while protecting his wounded comrade. The Salt Defense Army subjected him to brutal torture including “stepping on the lever,” “forcing lime water ingestion,” “alcohol sobering,” and “heart-piercing lever,” demanding information about the Red Army’s organization, routes, battle plans, and his own identity. The quartermaster remained steadfast. Later that night, during a heavy snowfall, he was taken to a mulberry tree near the courtyard of Zhao Xingwu’s home in Niujiujian, Changzheng Village, and hanged overnight. The next day, Jiang Jinquan ordered his henchmen Zhao Hanyang, Yang Anzhou, and Zhang Mazi to take the quartermaster to Maobaping, where he was executed. As he faced death, the quartermaster shouted revolutionary slogans such as “Long live the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army!” and “Down with the warlords!”

In 1964, to commemorate the Red Army martyrs, the Shihao and Yangcha social education work teams built two martyrs’ cemeteries in Baiguo Village, Shihao Township, and Changzheng Village, Yangcha Township, respectively. In 1979, a Red Army Martyrs’ Cemetery was constructed on Miaoshan Mountain in Shihao. After its completion, the remains of the five martyrs originally buried in Baiguo Village and Changzheng Village were relocated and reinterred in the new cemetery. In 1991, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, a six-month renovation project was undertaken, giving the cemetery a fresh appearance. At the same time, the Red Army Martyrs' Cemetery Memorial Hall was established, featuring a Long March Poetry Stele, Martyrs’ Tomb Site, Martyrs’ Statues, Martyrs’ Memorial Tower, Martyrs’ Deeds Exhibition Room, Eulogy Stone Forest, and Red Army Propaganda Slogans Stone Forest. It has been designated as a Chongqing Patriotic Education Base, a Chongqing Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Address: Shihao Town, Qijiang District

Tel: 48740007

Transportation: Qijiang – Yuqian Expressway – Anchang Intersection – Shihao Town

Shihao Town: Located at the southwestern tip of Chongqing, it is 97 kilometers from Qijiang County and borders Tongzi and Xishui counties in Guizhou Province. The town covers an area of 129.39 square kilometers, governs 15 villages and 1 community residents' committee, and has a population of 37,219, of which 36,026 are agricultural residents. In addition to the Han majority, there are also 1,312 people from the ethnic minorities Miao and Yi.

Shihao enjoys a mild climate and picturesque scenery. Wanlongshan Ligongba, Huaba Primitive Forest, and its tiankeng landforms are highly renowned, as are the mysterious Xiandu River caves and the serene trails of Baiguo Dragon Palace, attracting countless visitors. In commemoration of the “First…” More details about Shihao Town++