Red Army Mountain
⭐ 3.80
Red Army Mountain Martyrs' Cemetery, Honghuagang District, Zunyi City, Guizhou Province, China
**Historical Context**: Red Army Mountain, or the Red Army Martyrs' Cemetery, was established in 1957 on the site of Little Dragon Hill and renamed to honor the Red Third Army Corps soldiers who perished during the pivotal Battle of Zunyi and along the Long March. This 1935 episode parallels in scale and significance the great retreats of military history, comparable to Napoleon's withdrawal from Moscow—though unlike that disastrous Russian campaign, the Long March ultimately transformed into the founding myth of modern China. The cemetery preserves the physical remains of these revolutionary martyrs, anchoring the area's central place in modern Chinese history.
**Architecture**: The monument's massive 30-meter obelisk dominates the hillside, its bold calligraphy bearing Deng Xiaoping's hand-painted inscription. Visitors ascend 316 stone steps to reach the summit, passing striking sacrificial sculptures, the tomb of Deng Ping, and the legendary "Red Army Grave" of medic Long Siquan. The design echoes the solemn restraint of European war memorials such as Italy's Redipuglia Military Memorial, with sweeping terraces and somber relief walls blending naturally into the mountain's contours rather than imposing upon them.
**Cultural Significance**: Designated a national patriotism education demonstration site, the mountain functions much like France's Douaumont Ossuary at Verdun—a place where citizens gather to honor fallen soldiers and transmit collective memory across generations. The legend of the "Red Army Grave" remains beloved locally, symbolizing the deep bond between soldiers and civilians who secretly guarded revolutionary remains. From the summit, visitors enjoy sweeping views over old Zunyi and the Xiang River, lending a contemplative dimension to the historical weight of the landscape.
**Practical Information**: The memorial lies in Honghuagang District on Fenghuang Middle Road and is open year-round free of charge, with no reservation needed for individual visitors. Allow 45 to 60 minutes for a thorough visit, and consider pairing it with the Zunyi Conference Site just 10 to 15 minutes' walk away. For confirmation of opening arrangements, the Zunyi Conference Memorial Hall can be reached at 0851-28261955.
**Why Visit**: For travelers interested in twentieth-century history, Red Army Mountain provides an intimate and uncrowded window into the human dimension of one of history's most consequential military movements. It pairs naturally with the nearby Zunyi Conference Site to form a complete narrative experience—one of strategy at the meeting hall, of sacrifice and remembrance on the hill above. Visitors should dress modestly, wear sturdy footwear for the many steps, and bring water and rain gear in summer months.