Address: Yanshou village, Nanyue town, Nanyue district, Hengyang, Hunan province Opening hours: 7 am to 6 pm Admission: Free
Martyrs' Shrine of Mount Heng (Nanyue) in Hunan province [Photo/IC]
The Martyrs' Shrine of Mount Heng (Nanyue) is located beneath Xianglu Peak of Mount Heng in Nanyue district, Hengyang, Hunan province. It was built to commemorate the soldiers who died in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). The shrine features 13 large martyrs' tombs, solemnly arranged around the grounds. Within the shrine are temple halls and stone sculptures. The main memorial stands tall like five giant artillery shells pointing to the sky, symbolizing the unity and determination of China’s Han, Manchu, Mongolian, Hui, and Tibetan peoples in rising together against foreign invasion.
Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine is one of the earliest and largest memorial sites in China dedicated to the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. It is also a key memorial of both the Chinese resistance and the global fight against fascism. The principal spirit tablet for all fallen Chinese soldiers is enshrined here. The martyrs honored at the shrine transcend political affiliations. Every hero who died in the war remembered here is a patriot and a national hero. The shrine preserves the history of the Chinese nation’s fierce resistance to invasion and its immense sacrifices and contributions to the global struggle against fascism.
This sacred site stands as a symbol of national unity in times of crisis and serves as a vital bridge for fostering emotional bonds between people across the Taiwan Strait and promoting national reunification. The existence of Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine holds both profound historical significance and contemporary relevance. The shrine not only stands as ironclad evidence of Japanese aggression but also inspires future generations through the heroic legacy of those who came before.
