Guangzhou Galaxy Martyrs' Cemetery

Guangzhou Galaxy Martyrs' Cemetery

The Guangzhou Galaxy Martyrs' Cemetery is a classic red tourism destination and a patriotic education base.

The Guangzhou Galaxy Martyrs' Cemetery (also known as the Galaxy Revolutionary Cemetery) was established in 1956. Located at the exit of the Guangzhou–Shanwei Highway in the eastern part of Guangzhou, it covers an area of 205,000 square meters.

The cemetery is divided into two sections: the martyrs’ tomb area and the columbarium. The martyrs’ tomb area houses the graves of 318 martyrs who sacrificed their lives during various revolutionary periods in China’s history. These include the tomb of the martyrs who died in the infamous “Shaji Massacre in Guangzhou,” the tomb of the “Six Martyrs of the Cultural Federation” who led the Guangzhou Left-Wing Cultural Alliance, the Martyrs’ Tomb and Monument of the Makou Heroes, the tomb of firefighting heroine Xiang Xiuli, and the tomb of the martyrs who fought against SARS. In addition, there are also memorial monuments for cultural figures such as Guan Shanyue, Li Xiongcai, and Xiao Hong.

The columbarium preserves the ashes of 295 martyrs, including those of Qiu Ningjiang, a first-class hero of the Counterattack in Self-Defense Against Vietnam, and Xie Derong, a second-class national model hero of the national public security front. It also holds the ashes of nearly 30,000 national cadres and military personnel who sacrificed or passed away in Guangzhou, as well as those from central and provincial units stationed in Guangdong and the military. The Revolutionary Martyrs’ Historical Exhibition Room displays photographic, textual, and physical materials related to some of the martyrs.

The martyrs resting here were born in different eras and worked in various positions. Their moving and awe-inspiring heroic deeds, their love for the Chinese nation and socialism, their loyalty to the Communist Party, and their revolutionary spirit of being willing to sacrifice for the interests of the Party, the country, and the people will forever inspire generations to come.

Among the Chinese Communist martyrs from the democratic revolution period are: He Yaoquan, Chen Fu, the “Six Martyrs of the Guangzhou Cultural Federation,” Pan Zhaoluan, and others.

Leader of the Canton–Hong Kong Strike: Martyr He Yaoquan (1897–1927), from Yongding, Fujian. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1925 and was one of the early leaders of the workers’ movement in Hong Kong. He participated in the Hong Kong Seamen’s Strike and the Canton–Hong Kong Strike, serving as Vice-Chairman of the Canton–Hong Kong Strike Committee, Executive Member of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, and member of the Guangdong–Guangxi District Committee of the CCP. On April 15, 1927, when the Kuomintang right-wing launched a massive crackdown on Communists and revolutionary masses in Guangzhou, he was unfortunately arrested. Despite brutal torture in prison, he strictly guarded Party secrets and remained steadfast. In late April, he was secretly executed by the enemy at the age of just 30.

A resolute revolutionary: Martyr Chen Fu (for details, see the entry “Tomb of Martyr Chen Fu” in this book; omitted here).

Died Heroically Resisting Chiang and Saving the Nation – the “Six Martyrs of the Cultural Federation.” The Guangzhou Branch of the Chinese Cultural Federation (referred to as the “Cultural Federation” in Guangzhou) was a left-wing cultural organization under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, established in April 1933. The communist fighters Tan Guobiao, Wen Shenggang, Ling Boji, Lai Yinbang, Zheng Tingshu, and He Rentang were the leaders and key members of the Guangzhou Branch of the Chinese Cultural Federation. In the early 1930s, as Japanese imperialism intensified its invasion of China, the reactionary Kuomintang, despite the national crisis, carried out military encirclement of revolutionary bases while enforcing fascism in major cities. The local CCP organizations in Guangzhou were repeatedly disrupted. Under these harsh circumstances, they rose to the occasion, united progressive masses, organized groups, published periodicals, and used various means to spread Marxism-Leninism, promote the CCP’s national salvation policies, expand the CCP’s influence, break the Kuomintang’s blockade, and advance the climax of the anti-Japanese salvation movement. At the end of January 1934, they were arrested by the reactionary Kuomintang. In prison, they endured all kinds of brutal torture but remained fearless in the face of death and unwavering in their loyalty to communism. On August 1 of the same year, they were collectively executed by the enemy by the side of Huanghuagang. Before their execution, they shouted revolutionary slogans and sang “The Internationale,” sacrificing heroically for the interests of the people. After liberation, the People’s Government relocated their remains from various places and reburied them together in the Galaxy Revolutionary Cemetery.

Martyr Pan Zhaoluan (1902–1932), from Shunde, Guangdong, joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1922. In the summer of 1930, he was arrested by the reactionary Kuomintang and imprisoned in the Shiqi Prison, then transferred to the Cangbian Prison in Guangzhou. He heroically sacrificed his life at Honghua Hill in Guangzhou in March 1932 at the age of 30. After liberation, the People’s Government relocated his remains and reburied them in the Guangzhou Galaxy Revolutionary Cemetery.

In 1995, the Galaxy Martyrs' Cemetery was designated as a “Patriotic Education Base” by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China, the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee, the Guangdong Provincial Government, the Guangzhou Municipal Party Committee, and the Guangzhou Municipal Government. It was also awarded the titles of “National Defense Education Base” and “Moral Education Base for Primary and Secondary School Students” by the Guangzhou Municipal Party Committee and Government. In January 2003, it was approved as one of the second batch of key provincial-level protected martyrs’ memorial buildings.

After years of development, the present-day Galaxy Martyrs' Cemetery features lush pines and cypresses, vibrant flowers and trees, serene scenery, and a solemn atmosphere. It has become a base for socialist spiritual civilization that integrates publicity, education, and tourism.