Martyrs' Tomb of Fang Jiongxian

Martyrs' Tomb of Fang Jiongxian

The Martyrs' Tomb of Fang Jiongxian is located at the entrance to Shenxianshui in Hetian Village, Houjie Town. GPS coordinates: 22°54'55.5" N, 113°41'24.2" E, elevation 69 meters.

The tomb faces south with its back to the north and is surrounded by lush green trees. It stands 1.16 meters tall, 0.56 meters wide, and covers an area of 16.8 square meters. The square, stepped base of the tomb has three levels and is made of concrete. The bluestone tombstone is inscribed in intaglio with the text: “Tomb of Martyr Fang Jiongxian Who Defended the Hometown, Erected on March 29, 1945, by Hetian Township Office.”

Fang Jiongxian was a native of Dongtou in Hetian. Born in Hong Kong, he lost both parents at a young age and returned to his hometown to farm as a teenager. In 1941, under the guidance of Fang Jieli, an underground Communist Party member in Dongtou Village, Fang Jiongxian joined the Chinese Communist Party and participated in the Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Forces. He fought as a guerrilla in the Daling Mountain area and later became a company commander.

Shortly after the Lunar New Year in 1945, a large force of Japanese and puppet troops launched a “mopping-up” operation from Qiaotou toward Hetian. Near Langqiao (a local place name), they encountered troops from the Dongjiang Column of the Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Forces. At the start of the battle, the Japanese and puppet troops took up a commanding position, setting up machine guns at the entrance of Langqiao Bridge and spreading their forces along the weir, unleashing heavy fire on the guerrillas. The guerrillas had no choice but to take cover behind guava trees and on the high embankments of the fields near Dakuodi (a local place name). Fang Jiongxian led two comrades in a flanking maneuver toward She Mountain Temple (a local place name), using the terrain to charge forward and seize the enemy’s machine gun. During the battle, Fang Jiongxian was shot in the abdomen, with part of his intestines exposed. At that very moment, the guerrillas charged up the weir and defeated the Japanese and puppet troops. Later, Fang Jiongxian was carried to the guerrilla field hospital for emergency treatment but died a heroic death due to excessive blood loss. Before his death, he comforted his comrades, saying, “Don’t be sad. I won’t die. And even if I do, it will be an honorable death.” After his death, a monument was erected at his grave site in his memory.

Houjie Town: Founded during the Xuanhe era of Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty (1119–1125 AD), Houjie Town has a history of over 800 years. Legend has it that Wang Tai from Putian, Fujian, settled here during his official travels and named the place “Houjie” (Back Street) because it was located behind the “Junpu” (a market for military dependents). Over the dynasties, the population grew, industries flourished, and many talents emerged. The area also became known for its honest and kind-hearted people and prosperous life, hence the name “Houjie” (Thick or Prosperous Street). Since ancient times, Houjie has enjoyed commercial prosperity and abundant resources, with local specialties such as ramie, sausages, and rice noodles being famous both at home and abroad.

Comprehensive Strength: Located on the eastern shore of the Pearl River Delta and within the Guangzhou–Hong Kong Economic Corridor… More detailed information about Houjie Town++