Former Site of the Shantang Arsenal

Former Site of the Shantang Arsenal

The former site of the Shantang Arsenal is a Fujian Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a classic red tourism attraction.

The former site of the Shantang Arsenal is located in Shantang Village, Jiangshan Town, Xinluo District, Longyan City, dating back to 1927–1930.

Introduction: Originally built in the 16th year of the Jiaqing reign during the Qing Dynasty, it faces south with a north orientation, features a timber-and-earth structure, covers an area of 330 square meters, and consists of a single hall flanked by rooms with two wing rooms. In September 1927, under the leadership of Guo Dirén and others, the Shantang Township Farmers’ Association established a township arsenal here, producing a large number of handcrafted firearms and ammunition, laying an important foundation for the development of revolutionary armed forces in western Fujian. In August 1930, the CPC Western Fujian Special Committee decided to establish the Western Fujian Red Army Arsenal in Huyang, Longyan. The Shantang Arsenal relocated its personnel and equipment to Huyang and merged into the Western Fujian Red Army Arsenal. The latter was later moved to Hugang in Yongding, Sidu in Changting, Tingzhou, Ruijin, and eventually merged with the Guantian Arsenal Repair Workshop in Jiangxi to become the Central Arsenal Factory of the Chinese Soviet Republic—the largest military-industrial enterprise among all Soviet areas in China at the time.

Protected Area: Extending 20 meters outward from all sides of the building.

In 2018, the former site of the Shantang Arsenal was designated as part of the ninth batch of Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units by the People’s Government of Fujian Province.

Shantang Village: Located in the northwest of Xinluo District, Longyan City, Shantang Village in Jiangshan Town lies at the southern foot of Meihua Mountain, a national A-level nature reserve, within the territory of Longyan National Forest Park. It serves as the southern gateway to Jiangshan Town, comprising two natural villages—Shanhou and Datang—and is 13 kilometers from downtown. It borders Tongbo Village to the east, Longmen Town to the south, Xiaochi Town to the west, and reaches the peak of Yan Ding Mountain and Gutian Town to the north, making it a well-known revolutionary base village in western Fujian. The village covers a total area of 21.4 square kilometers, including 1,100 mu of arable land, 3,000 mu of bamboo forests, 5,417 mu of ecological conservation forests, with a forest coverage rate of 88.7%... More details about Shantang Village++

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Fujian Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units