Huangnihe Revolutionary Martyrs Monument in Fuyuan County, Qujing
Overview
The Huangnihe Revolutionary Martyrs Monument (黄泥河革命烈士纪念塔) is located 200 meters northeast of Huangnihe Town (黄泥河镇) in Fuyuan County (富源县), Qujing (曲靖). The monument faces north and covers an area of 20 square meters.
Structure
The monument consists of a base and a tower, standing approximately 9 meters tall in total. The square base is supported by four square columns made of reinforced concrete, each standing 2.8 meters high. The base is adorned with marble panels, each measuring 1.6 meters wide and 0.86 meters high. The inscriptions on the base include a eulogy for the martyrs, an explanation for the construction of the tower, and the names of 207 revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Long March (长征) and the Liberation War (解放战争).
The edges of the base feature couplets in cursive script engraved on all four sides:
- East Side: “喜度今日春风暖，勿忘当年冬雪寒” (Enjoy the warmth of today’s spring breeze, do not forget the cold winter of the past);
- South Side: “功在人民千秋颂，血溅疆场百世扬” (Achievements for the people are sung for a thousand autumns, blood shed on the battlefield is celebrated for centuries);
- West Side: “玉碑唯尽英雄迹，金塔永彰忠魂芳” (The jade tablet records the heroes’ deeds, the golden tower eternally honors their loyal spirits);
- North Side: “铁血虎胆天地动，伟绩殊勋金碧煌” (With iron blood and tiger courage, the world trembles; great achievements shine in gold and emerald).
Thirteen steps lead from the base directly to the tower. The tower itself is a square column topped with a pagoda-style pinnacle. The tower rises 6.36 meters, and each of its four sides features inscriptions in regular script:
- East Side: “除奸荡秽光华昭日月” (Eliminate treachery and filth, let the light shine day and night);
- West Side: “革命烈士永垂不朽” (Revolutionary martyrs are eternally immortal);
- North Side: “卫国保家浩气震乾坤” (Defend the country and protect the home, our righteous spirit shakes heaven and earth).
The south side of the bottom column features the couplet: “碧水常吟芳名流，白云永伴忠魂飞” (Clear waters often sing the names of the esteemed, white clouds forever accompany the loyal souls); while the north side has: “星移地转期不尽，松柏碧翠共长青” (As the stars shift and the earth turns, the time is endless; pines and cypresses remain ever green).
Historical Significance
The Huangnihe Revolutionary Martyrs Monument was jointly funded and constructed in 1989 by the Huangnihe Town (黄泥河镇) Communist Party Committee, the Town People’s Government, and the Town Elderly Association. It holds significant historical and commemorative value.
In June 2011, it was designated as a cultural heritage site by the Fuyuan County People’s Government.
How to Get There
To reach the Huangnihe Revolutionary Martyrs Monument, you can take a local bus or taxi from downtown Fuyuan County. The nearest town is Huangnihe, where the monument is easily accessible on foot.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are ideal for pleasant weather.
- Respect the Site: As a memorial, maintain a respectful demeanor during your visit.
- Photography: Capture the monument’s beauty, but remember to be mindful of its significance.
- Local Culture: Engage with locals to learn more about the history and the heroes commemorated at the monument.
