Former Residence of Hu Zanhua

Former Residence of Hu Zanhua

The Former Residence of Hu Zanhua is a cultural tourism attraction.

Hu Zanhua (1904–1937), courtesy name Yizhong, also known as Hu Shoudeng, was from Shangchen Village, Zeya Town, Ouhai District, Wenzhou City. After graduating from higher elementary school, he was admitted to the Tenth Normal School of Zhejiang Province. In 1929, he graduated from the seventh class of the Whampoa Military Academy and was assigned to the 2nd Guard Regiment of the Nationalist Government stationed in Nanjing as a platoon leader. During the Battle of Shanghai, Hu Zanhua served as a company commander in the 524th Regiment of the 88th Division, 5th Army, defending Minhang in Shanghai. He fought the Japanese army fiercely for three days and nights, was unfortunately shot in the left eye, and was soon promoted to battalion commander after recovering. Later, he was promoted to the position of deputy regimental commander (major) of the 524th Regiment, 88th Division. In 1937, when the Japanese army created the Hongqiao Airport Incident in Shanghai, the 524th Regiment, along with Shanghai’s military and civilians, rose up to resist the invasion for over three months. After the fall of Shanghai, except for the first battalion, the rest of the 524th Regiment withdrew to Nanjing and was stationed around Yuhuatai. In December of that year, when the Japanese army attacked the outskirts of Nanjing, the 524th Regiment held their positions and fought to the death; all officers and soldiers were killed in battle. Hu Zanhua died in the battle, and his remains were never found. The Kuomintang Yongjia County Party Committee, county government, regimental command, and his close friend Lieutenant General Chen Sunong (a graduate of the third class of Whampoa, from Baiquan, Yongjia) among others, held a memorial service in the auditorium of Ouhai Middle School (now Wenzhou No. 4 High School). Hundreds attended the ceremony.

The Former Residence of Hu Zanhua is located in Shangchen Village, Zeya Town, Ouhai District. Nine old-style houses remain, which are Qing Dynasty wooden residential structures. The old houses are built against a hill, facing south with their backs to the north. The entrance gate is situated on the front left and is exquisitely designed. There is a stone-piled courtyard wall in front of the house.

Source: Party History Research Office of the CPC Wenzhou Municipal Committee