Zhangjiadian Campaign Memorial Hall

Zhangjiadian Campaign Memorial Hall

The Zhangjiadian Campaign Memorial Hall is a classic red tourism destination and a patriotic education base.

The Liu-Deng Army’s Thousand-Mile March into the Dabie Mountains – Zhangjiadian Campaign Memorial Hall, located in Maotanchang Town, Jin’an District, Lu’an City, Anhui Province, integrates the Zhangjiadian Campaign Memorial Hall, the Tu Public Shrine, and the Dabie Mountain Folk Culture Museum. It serves as a patriotic education base in Lu’an City, covering a total area of over 9,000 square meters with a construction area of approximately 1,850 square meters. The memorial hall features bluestone paving and is planted with numerous pine, cypress, and osmanthus trees, complementing the solemn atmosphere of its primarily Huizhou-style ancient architecture.

The Zhangjiadian Campaign Memorial Hall is the first memorial dedicated to the Liu-Deng Army’s Thousand-Mile March into the Dabie Mountains and one of the key red tourism projects in Lu’an City. It is situated in the eastern branch shrine of the former campaign headquarters, the Tu Public Shrine. The two-courtyard structure includes a front and rear section. The first exhibition hall is divided into six sections: "Wise Decision-Making," "Thousand-Mile March," "Strategic Expansion," "Taking Root," "Song of the Cotton-Padded Jackets," and "Main Force Offensive," highlighting the background and process of the Liu-Deng Army’s historic march. The second exhibition hall features seven sections: "Rapid Return of Troops," "Third Corps Rearrangement," "Clever Luring of the Enemy," "Siege of Stubborn Foes," "Defeating Reinforcements with Fewer Troops," "Deep Bond Between Army and People," and "Commemorating Martyrs, Eternal Green Mountains," as well as "Third Corps, Brilliant Generals," focusing on the first battle of the march—the Zhangjiadian Campaign.

The Tu Public Shrine was built in the 12th year of the Guangxu reign during the late Qing Dynasty. It was constructed under imperial permission after the rise of Tu Zongying, a renowned official and Viceroy of Huguang who also held an honorary position as Minister of War. With over 120 years of history, the shrine served as the headquarters of the Third Corps during the Zhangjiadian Campaign in 1947. Today, it has been restored to include the "Third Corps Command Post," "Commander’s Rest Room," "Deputy Commander Zheng Guozhong’s Rest Room," and "Guard Room," authentically recreating the historical scenes of that time.

The Dabie Mountain Folk Culture Museum, located in the western branch shrine of the Tu Public Shrine, displays tools used in the daily life and production of Dabie Mountain residents. The museum is divided into two main sections: the "Comprehensive Hall" and the "Functional Hall." The Comprehensive Hall provides a thorough introduction through text and images, while the Functional Hall features recreated spaces such as a hall room, kitchen, living room, main hall, and production workshop, authentically restoring the most representative and distinctive aspects of local folk culture for an immersive experience.

The Tu Guanglu Public Shrine within the scenic area was designated as a county-level key cultural relics protection unit by the Lu’an County Revolutionary Committee in 1980. In 2004, it was recognized as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit by the Anhui Provincial People’s Government. In 2007, with approval from relevant authorities, the Jin’an Tourism Development Co., Ltd. invested in its restoration following the principle of preserving its original appearance. The front ancestral temple and rear public shrine were renovated, and the eastern and western branch shrines were reconstructed based on original blueprints. The site also exhibits precious cultural relics and important historical materials related to the Zhangjiadian Campaign.

Maotanchang Town: Located at the southern foot of the Dabie Mountains in Jin’an District, Lu’an City, Anhui Province, Maotanchang Town lies at the junction of Huoshan, Shucheng, and Jin’an districts. Covering a total area of 59.1 square kilometers, the town administers 11 administrative villages, one street, and has a population of 18,000, including 8,000 in the town center. Maotanchang has a long history. Over a thousand years ago, it was a bustling hub of merchants and talent, home to a uniquely styled, ancient three-li-long street. During the Qing Dynasty, Tu Zonggen, Viceroy of Liangguang, recognized the area’s potential and established the Tu Family Ancestral Shrine here.

Fifty years ago, the Liu-Deng Army advanced into the Dabie… More details about Maotanchang Town++