Huaguoshan Cemetery of Martyrs in Fuyuan County, Qujing
Overview
Huaguoshan Cemetery of Martyrs (富源县花果山烈士陵园) is located 1000 meters northwest of the Fuyuan Railway Freight Station in the Qingxi Community of Zhong’an Street, Fuyuan County (富源县). The cemetery, oriented from southwest to northeast, consists of a patriotic education base monument and martyr graves, covering an area of over 1500 square meters.
Patriotic Education Base Monument
The monument is rectangular and made of blue stone. It stands 1.8 meters tall, 0.75 meters wide, and 0.12 meters thick, supported by a square base with three steps. Established by the Fuyuan County People’s Government in February 1995, this monument serves as a significant symbol of patriotism.
Martyr Graves
The cemetery features 21 graves. The arrangement is symbolically significant, with 18 smaller graves arranged in three neat rows from northwest to southeast. The remaining three larger graves stand side by side, also oriented from northwest to southeast, located about 10 meters west of the three rows.
The central grave belongs to Yang Decai (杨德才), the Deputy Director of the Fuyuan County Public Security Bureau, who heroically sacrificed his life in 1992 during an operation to capture a fugitive. This grave occupies approximately 12 square meters and is surrounded by a limestone stone structure with a cement skirt guardrail. The gravestone is a blue stone long strip with a “八” shape at the top, featuring an engraved five-pointed star in the center. On either side, the inscription “永垂不朽” (Eternally Immortal) is engraved, and in the center, “杨德才烈士之墓” (Grave of Martyr Yang Decai) is inscribed prominently, established by the Fuyuan County People’s Government in February 1992. The other 20 graves are marked with limestone semi-circular rectangular gravestones, each adorned with a red five-pointed star and inscriptions detailing the life, achievements, and sacrifice of each martyr.
Memorial Tower
The memorial tower is situated at the front of the cemetery, constructed as a solid square column, rising to a height of 15 meters. The base is a lotus pedestal, with blue stone panels on all four sides detailing an introduction to the cemetery and a list of martyrs’ names. The front of the tower features the inscription “革命烈士永垂不朽” (Revolutionary Martyrs are Eternally Immortal) in bold script. The tower is topped with a four-cornered spire.
Historical Significance
The cemetery was built between 1949 and 1992. In May 2014, the Fuyuan County People’s Government funded the installation of blue stone flooring around the cemetery and constructed cement boundaries around the graves, giving them a trapezoidal shape, while also replacing the gravestones and erecting the memorial tower. Huaguoshan Cemetery of Martyrs is well-preserved and holds educational, commemorative, and historical value. In June 2011, it was officially recognized as a cultural heritage site by the Fuyuan County People’s Government.
How to Get There
To reach Huaguoshan Cemetery of Martyrs, you can take a local bus or taxi from downtown Fuyuan County. The nearest train station is Fuyuan Railway Station, from which you can hire a taxi for a short ride to the cemetery.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather for exploration.
- Photography: Capture the scenic beauty of the monument and graves, but be respectful of the solemnity.
- Guided Tours: Consider joining a local tour for deeper insights into the history and significance of the site.
- Respect Local Customs: This is a memorial site, so maintain decorum during your visit.
