Noyelles-sur-Mer Chinese Cemetery

This cemetery in Noyelles-sur-Mer holds 842 graves of Chinese workers who died during World War I while supporting the British military effort. The grounds feature organized rows of graves set in a well-maintained landscape with clear pathways that make navigation straightforward for visitors.

The site was established in 1921 to honor Chinese workers who died during their work assignments along the Western Front. A major cause of death among these laborers was the Spanish flu pandemic that swept through populations during and after the war.

The cemetery blends British and Chinese design elements, reflecting how workers from different backgrounds worked together during the conflict. Visitors can observe how the layout and architectural details honor both the colonial legacy and the heritage of those buried here.

The grounds are open year-round with free entry, making it accessible to visitors on any schedule or budget. The well-maintained pathways and flat terrain allow visitors of all ages and mobility levels to move comfortably through the site.

This is Europe's largest Chinese burial ground and preserves memory of a workforce whose contribution to the war is often overlooked. The recognition of these workers demonstrates how the conflict reached far beyond the European continent itself.

Location: Noyelles-sur-Mer

Architects: Edwin Lutyens, John Reginald Truelove

Operator: Commonwealth War Grave

Part of: Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front)

Website: http://cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/68500/NOYELLES-SUR-MER%20CHINESE%20CEMETERY

GPS coordinates: 50.18624,1.72284

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:40