Former Site Memorial Museum of the General Front Command of the Huaihai Campaign

Former Site Memorial Museum of the General Front Command of the Huaihai Campaign

The Former Site Memorial Museum of the General Front Command of the Huaihai Campaign is a classic red tourism attraction and a patriotic education base.

The former site of the General Front Command of the Huaihai Campaign is located in Caiwa Village, Dingli Town, Xiaoxian County, Suzhou City. The main building of the site is situated at Yangjiataizi in the center of Caiwa Village. It is a group of ancient buildings from the late Qing Dynasty, originally owned by an enlightened landlord surnamed Yang. The main structure originally consisted of three rows and three courtyards, totaling nine smaller courtyards and 54 rooms—the eastern side had three courtyards, while the central and western sides each had two courtyards, totaling 48 rooms. Due to land reforms in the early years after liberation, some of the houses were distributed to local farmers, resulting in varying degrees of alteration to their appearance, but the overall architectural layout of Yangjiataizi has been largely preserved.

The house where the General Front Command held meetings remains well-preserved. Inside, there is an exhibition on the Huaihai Campaign. The original tables, chairs, long benches, and lanterns used during the meetings are on display. Some actual items used by Comrades Su Yu and Deng Xiaoping, such as beds, filing cabinets, and buckets, are also well-maintained.

The General Front Command meeting held in Caiwa Village, Xiaoxian County, played an extremely important role in securing the overall victory of both the Huaihai Campaign and the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign, as well as in the liberation of all of China. It holds a highly significant position in both the history of China’s revolution and military history, making this meeting a historic event that influenced the future and destiny of the Party and the nation.

From November 6, 1948, to January 10, 1949, the People's Liberation Army’s Central Plains and East China Field Armies fought the Huaihai Campaign across a vast area stretching from Haizhou in the east to Shangqiu in the west, and from Lincheng in the north to the Huaihai region in the south. The campaign lasted 66 days and resulted in the annihilation of over 555,000 enemy troops, effectively wiping out the elite main forces of the Kuomintang army in the East China and Central Plains theaters.

In September 2010, the former site of the General Front Command of the Huaihai Campaign in Caiwa, Xiaoxian County, Suzhou City, was included in the “Second Batch of National Classic Red Tourism Attractions” by four ministries including the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Tourism Administration, becoming one of China’s 100 classic red tourism sites. The Caiwa former site of the General Front Command of the Huaihai Campaign is also a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. In 1948, the General Front Command held its only plenary meeting here. The site preserves well-maintained items such as the bed and filing cabinet used by Comrades Deng Xiaoping and Su Yu.

Dingli Town: Known as the southern gateway of Xiaoxian County, Dingli Town borders Huaibei. The town comprises 18 administrative villages, 57 natural villages, with a total population of 44,672 and a jurisdiction area of 6,107.2 hectares, including 3,709 hectares of arable land. The annual per capita income of farmers is 2,088 yuan.

Dingli Town boasts four major advantages: location, transportation, resources, and branding.

Location: Situated midway between Huaibei and Xiaoxian County, with an exit of the Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway located in Guozhuang Village of the town, it enjoys a uniquely advantageous geographical position.

Transportation: The Fuyang–Xiaoxian Railway runs through the town, and Provincial Highway 301 in Xiaoxian... More details about Dingli Town ++

Further reading:

· China’s National Third-Class Museum