Former Residence of Wang Jiaxiang

Former Residence of Wang Jiaxiang

The Former Residence of Wang Jiaxiang is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a classic red tourism attraction.

Situated in Hou'an Village, Taohuatan Town, southwest of Jing County, Anhui Province, 48 kilometers from the county seat. The residence is built in the Hui-style architectural tradition, with its nameplate inscribed by Zhang Hai, Chairman of the China Calligraphers Association. The memorial complex includes three sections: the lobby, exhibition halls, and visitor center. In 1986, the residence was listed as a key cultural relics protection unit of Anhui Province, and in 2001, it was approved as a National Patriotic Education Base and a National Key Red Tourism Attraction. The site comprises the Wang Jiaxiang Memorial Museum, the former residence, and the Dongtai Academy, among other attractions.

The Wang Jiaxiang Memorial Museum is located in front of the former residence, covering a construction area of 1,130 square meters, and features Hui-style architecture. Its nameplate was inscribed by Zhang Hai, Chairman of the China Calligraphers Association. The museum consists of three parts: the lobby, exhibition halls, and visitor center.

Upon entering the museum lobby, the first thing that catches the eye is a white marble statue of Comrade Wang Jiaxiang during his youth. With a serene expression and focused gaze directed into the distance, his brows slightly furrowed, he holds the "Shen Bao" newspaper in his left hand and clenches his right fist, symbolizing his courage and determination to join the revolution, as well as his contemplation and vision for the future.

The theme of the "Wang Jiaxiang Life Exhibition" is "Forever Jiaxiang." The exhibition is divided into six sections: the first part is "Years of Brilliance," the second is "Loyal Soldier," the third is "Three Major Contributions," the fourth is "Outstanding Leadership," the fifth is "Distinguished Diplomacy," and the sixth is "Eternal Remembrance." Each section begins with a themed visual in a distinctive color palette, reflecting Wang’s varying thoughts and circumstances during different periods. The exhibition employs three presentation formats: flat displays, three-dimensional exhibits, and lightbox panels, aiming to comprehensively showcase Wang Jiaxiang’s life from multiple perspectives and dimensions.

The third part of the exhibition hall is a multifunctional room, decorated in an innovative Hui-style design. The TV wall is backed by locally distinctive floral-patterned tiles, providing visitors with a comfortable resting space.

The former residence of Wang Jiaxiang is a dwelling with distinctive southern Anhui architectural features. The study room was where the young Jiaxiang pursued his studies. There, he secretly read progressive publications such as "New Youth," "The Guide," and "China Youth" behind his family’s back, laying a solid theoretical foundation for his later path in the revolution and his emergence as an outstanding revolutionary leader. The small garden was a place where the young Jiaxiang often played. In traditional homes of the Jingchuan area, it was common to plant trees and flowers in courtyards, with osmanthus, peonies, and wintersweet being the most prevalent. The plaque above the main gate inscribed with “Former Residence of Wang Jiaxiang” was personally written by [redacted] on the occasion of Jiaxiang’s 80th anniversary.

The left wing room next to the living room was where Wang Jiaxiang’s two elder sisters lived. After they got married, Wang Jiaxiang stayed in this room for a period. In 1925, Wang Jiaxiang organized activities at St. James Middle School in Wuhu and was expelled by the missionary school. His father brought him home and confined him to this room. Ultimately, his mother, who doted on him immensely, secretly let her beloved son escape. From then on, Wang Jiaxiang devoted himself to the revolution, living a life of endless struggle across the country.

The Liuxi Primary School where Wang Jiaxiang studied was formerly known as the Dongtai Academy. It is situated at the foot of Wutai Mountain in the eastern part of the village, near Juxing Bridge, with the clear waters of the Liuxi River flowing past the eastern side of the school. The tranquil stream provided a peaceful environment for learning.

In 1913, 7-year-old Wang Jiaxiang began attending Liuxi Primary School, which was founded and initially headed by his paternal uncle, Wang Huizhou. Valuing time and studying diligently were among Wang Jiaxiang’s admirable traits as a youth. During holidays, he often went alone to the banks of the Liuxi River near the school, walking along Juxing Pond. Sometimes he strolled and listened to the flowing water, gazing at the bridge over the stream; other times he would sit cross-legged on the ground, fully absorbed in reading extracurricular books or reciting English words aloud. He even became somewhat of a local legend for occasionally bumping into people while walking and silently reciting. He eagerly absorbed all kinds of cultural knowledge, consistently ranking first in his class with excellent grades, especially in English. After graduating from Liuxi Primary School, due to the absence of any junior high schools in the county and his young age with limited self-care abilities, he continued studying at the private school affiliated with Liuxi Primary School for another two years, building a solid foundation.

Despite growing up in a remote mountain village, the young Wang Jiaxiang was neither ignorant nor narrow-minded; rather, he had broad horizons and lofty aspirations. A neighbor, Zha Qian, ten years older than Wang, was admitted to the University of Minnesota in the United States and soon earned a Ph.D. in physics, causing quite a stir at the time. Wang’s father often held Zha Qian up as an example to encourage him to attend university, study abroad, and become a scholar or professor. Without hesitation, Wang replied, “If you think Zha Qian is remarkable, how could I not surpass him?”

The former residence and memorial of Wang Jiaxiang, a proletarian revolutionary of China, are located in Hou’an Township, Jing County. The nearby Chaji Village in Hou’an Township is the largest cluster of ancient dwellings in southern Anhui. This area has become a tourist destination that combines red tourism, eco-tourism, and traditional Hui-style cultural tourism.

In May 2013, the State Council (State Council Document [2013] No. 13) announced the Former Residence of Wang Jiaxiang as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Protected area: 5 meters to the east and north, 3 meters to the west, and 10 meters to the south beyond the surrounding wall foundations.

Construction control zone: 30 meters beyond the protected area in all directions (east, south, west, and north).

Wang Jiaxiang (1906–1974), originally named Jiaxiang, also known as Jiaoshe, was from Hou’an Village, Jing County. After graduating from the local primary school, he attended Leyu School in Nanling County and the high school department of St. James Middle School in Wuhu. In 1925, he entered the affiliated high school of Shanghai University and joined the Communist Youth League of China. In November of the same year, he was selected to study at Sun Yat-sen University in Moscow. In February 1928, he joined the Communist Party of China at the university. In the autumn of the same year, he was admitted to the Institute of Red Professors for further studies.

In March 1930, Wang Jiaxiang returned to Shanghai and was assigned to work in the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee... More details about Wang Jiaxiang ++

Hou’an Village: Hou’an Village

The hometown of the veteran proletarian revolutionary Wang Jiaxiang, the village administers 13 natural villages and 18 administrative villages, with a total of 650 households and 2,021 residents. Covering an area of 12 square kilometers, it includes 306.54 hectares of arable land, of which 260.56 hectares are basic farmland. The village’s economy mainly relies on agriculture and animal husbandry, producing rice and agricultural by-products. It raises over 2,000 silkworms annually, and its forested mountain areas span more than 4,500 acres. With beautiful surroundings and a simple, honest local culture, it is both a red tourism destination and an ideal spot for leisure and vacation... More details about Hou’an Village ++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units