Wu Zhong Laoheqiao Martyrs' Cemetery

Wu Zhong Laoheqiao Martyrs' Cemetery

Wu Zhong Laoheqiao Martyrs' Cemetery is a classic red tourism attraction.

Wu Zhong Laoheqiao Martyrs' Cemetery is located in Laoheqiao Village, Shangqiao Town, Litong District, Wu Zhong City. Established in 1951, it was built primarily to commemorate the 135 revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives in 1949 during the battle to liberate Ningxia. At that time, the 575th Regiment of the 192nd Division of the 64th Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army was ordered to liberate Wu Zhong by attacking Laoheqiao. Since its establishment, the cemetery has undergone two renovations in 1969 and 1986, and was rebuilt in 1999. It has now become an important site for the people of Wu Zhong to mourn revolutionary martyrs and carry out patriotic education. In April 2005, it was designated as a “Autonomous Region Patriotic Education Base” by seven departments including the Publicity Department of the Autonomous Region Party Committee and the Education Department. In 2009, it was approved by the State Council as a “Fifth Batch of Key National Martyrs’ Memorial Buildings Protection Units.”

The cemetery covers an area of 11,700 square meters, with a memorial square spanning 4,600 square meters. It features a 14.9-meter-high memorial monument, 56 martyr tombstones, a memorial pavilion, and granite reliefs. The memorial hall displays portraits and biographies of 75 Wu Zhong-native revolutionary martyrs and missing soldiers who gave their lives gloriously in the battles to liberate Wu Zhong, the Korean War, and anti-bandit and counter-insurgency operations, as well as those who died protecting national property or individual lives during socialist construction.

The renovated martyrs' cemetery will achieve transformation in facility construction from earthen tombs, brick pagodas, and cement monuments to stone tablets, evergreen trees, gardens, and commemorative sculptures; in management approach from traditional grave guarding to actively developing “red resources,” spreading advanced culture, and leveraging educational roles; and in display methods from simple text and photos to high-tech means such as panoramic paintings, sound, light, and electricity. It will truly become a place to pay tribute to revolutionary martyrs, commemorate revolutionary history, educate on patriotism and revolutionary traditions, and serve as a destination for red tourism.

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