Fufeng-Meixian Campaign Martyrs' Cemetery

　　Fufeng-Meixian Campaign Martyrs' Cemetery is situated in Changxing Town, Meixian County, Shaanxi Province. Built in 1953, it is the final resting place of 623 martyrs who bravely gave their lives for the liberation of the country. This cemetery was established to honor the over 3,000 People's Liberation Army soldiers who heroically died during the Fufeng-Meixian Campaign—the largest battle on the northwestern front during China's Liberation War. Covering an area of 47 mu (approximately 3.1 hectares), the cemetery has been designated as a National Martyrs' Memorial Facility by the State Council. It is also recognized as a National Defense Education Demonstration Base by the National Defense Education Office, a Patriotic Education Base and National Defense Education Base by the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Baoji Municipal Committee, a Young Pioneers Practical Education Base by the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League, the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Education, and the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Young Pioneers, and a Grade AA Tourist Attraction by the National Tourism Administration. Additionally, it is listed in the National Museum Directory by the National Cultural Heritage Administration and included in the National Red Tourism Classic Scenic Spots List by the National Development and Reform Commission.

　　During the historically significant Liberation War, the brave First Field Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, following the "Order to March on the Whole Country" issued by Chairman Mao Zedong and Commander-in-Chief Zhu De, successfully liberated Xi'an on May 20, 1949. However, Chiang Kai-shek, unwilling to accept defeat, urgently ordered Hu Zongnan, director of the Nationalist Xi’an Pacification Headquarters, along with Ma Bufang’s forces from Qinghai and Ma Hongkui’s forces from Ningxia, to attempt a counterattack on Xi’an to block the PLA’s westward advance. Under the command of Commander and Political Commissar Peng Dehuai, the First, Second, Eighteenth, and Nineteenth Corps of the First Field Army applied Chairman Mao’s strategic principle of “concentrating superior forces to annihilate the enemy one by one” and demonstrated the fighting spirit of “brave combat, fearlessness of sacrifice, fatigue, and continuous warfare.” They implemented the tactical approach of “pinning down Ma’s forces while attacking Hu’s, tackling Hu first before Ma,” launching a general offensive on July 10 against the main forces of Hu Zongnan across a vast region centered on Fufeng and Meixian, extending east to Xianyang, west to Baoji, north to the Lanzhou-Lianyungang Highway, and south to the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains. After four days and nights of intense fighting, they completely annihilated one corps headquarters, four army headquarters, eight full divisions, and three regiments—totaling more than 44,000 troops—liberating nine counties including Meixian, Fufeng, and Qishan, and finally liberating Baoji on July 14. Thus, the Fufeng-Meixian Campaign achieved victory. The success of this campaign ended Hu Zongnan’s 12-year rule in northwestern China, created favorable conditions for the liberation of the entire northwest, laid the foundation for victory, and opened the northern gateway for the PLA’s advance into the southwestern region. During the campaign, over 4,700 PLA officers and soldiers were killed or wounded in their heroic fight for victory, with more than 3,000 making the ultimate sacrifice. Their blood dyed the land of western Shaanxi red, and their names are forever engraved in the annals of the nation.

　　In recent years, with strong support from central, provincial, and municipal authorities, the Meixian County Party Committee and County Government, adhering to high standards and ambitious planning, commissioned Chang’an University to meticulously design and plan the cemetery. After renovation and upgrading, the martyrs' cemetery has taken on a completely new look. Fufeng-Meixian Campaign Martyrs' Cemetery mainly consists of the Guiding Area, Granite Group Sculpture, Memorial Park, Monument Square, Campaign Memorial Hall, Multi-functional Audiovisual Hall, and Service Management Area. The Campaign Memorial Hall is divided into eight sections: Pre-war Situation, Battle Preparation, Pinning Down Ma’s Forces While Attacking Hu’s, Celebrating Victory, Revolutionary Martyrs, Glorious Journey, Heroes and Role Models, and Honoring the Fallen. The hall displays inscriptions and calligraphy from leaders such as -, Wang Zhen, -, -, He Jingzhi, Yan Kuigui, and Ma Wenrui. It also exhibits over a thousand relics, including battle flags, silk banners, medals, captured enemy weapons, and communication equipment, along with 25 volumes and 3,442 sheets of precious historical documents.

　　Since its establishment, Fufeng-Meixian Campaign Martyrs' Cemetery has received over 3 million visitors for commemoration and paying respects. It has now become an important patriotic education base, clean governance education demonstration site, and classic red tourism destination in Shaanxi Province.

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