The North China Military Region Martyrs Cemetery lies on Zhongshan West Road in Qiaoxi District, Shijiazhuang, in Hebei Province, and is one of the best-known revolutionary memorial sites in northern China. It was established to commemorate soldiers and civilians who died during the War of Resistance against Japan and the civil war, and it is especially associated with the Canadian surgeon Norman Bethune and the Indian doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis, who both served with the Chinese forces and are buried here. Their tombs and memorial halls draw international visitors as well as Chinese school groups and veterans. The grounds are arranged as a formal memorial park, with a central axis, a monument, rows of graves, memorial halls with photographs and personal effects, and tree-lined paths. Statues and inscriptions explain the roles of those honoured, and the atmosphere is quiet and solemn. A visit generally takes about one hour, which is enough to see the main monuments and the Bethune and Kotnis memorials. Visitors are expected to dress respectfully and keep voices low. Entry is reported as free, but opening hours should be verified on arrival. The cemetery is quietest on weekday mornings, while school trips and group tours increase visitor numbers around public holidays, particularly Qingming in early April. Bus or taxi along Zhongshan West Road reaches the site, and the nearest stop can be confirmed on Amap. The cemetery makes a meaningful pairing with Xibaipo for visitors interested in modern Chinese history, and information is in Chinese with some English labels.
| Admission | Free (verify at the gate) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Verify posted hours on arrival |
| Typical visit | 1 hour |
| Best time | Morning; quiet on weekdays |
| Getting there | Bus or taxi along Zhongshan West Road; confirm the nearest stop on Amap |
| Address | Zhongshan West Road, Qiaoxi District, Shijiazhuang |
Location
Zhongshan West Road, Qiaoxi District, Shijiazhuang
38.0425, 114.4592 View on map
Highlights
- Tombs and memorial halls of Norman Bethune and Dwarkanath Kotnis
- Formal memorial park with monuments and tree-lined paths
- Exhibits of photographs and personal effects of the fallen
- Free entry with a short one-hour visit
- Quiet, reflective atmosphere in the city
Tips for visiting
- Dress respectfully and keep voices low throughout the cemetery.
- Visit on a weekday morning for a quiet atmosphere.
- Verify opening hours on arrival, as they are not always posted online.
- Avoid Qingming and other memorial days if crowds are a concern.
- Ask at the entrance for the location of the Bethune and Kotnis memorials.
When to visit
Weekday mornings are quiet and peaceful. Avoid memorial days such as Qingming if crowds are a concern.
Accessibility
The grounds have mostly level paved paths and are generally accessible, though some memorial halls have steps.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the cemetery take?
About one hour is typical for the main monuments and the Bethune and Kotnis memorials.
Who is buried at the cemetery?
Soldiers and civilians who died in the anti-Japanese war and civil war are buried here, including the foreign doctors Norman Bethune and Dwarkanath Kotnis.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is generally allowed in the grounds, though it should be done respectfully and not in a way that disturbs mourners or ceremonies.
Is there an entry fee?
Entry is reported as free, but visitors should verify at the gate.