Former Revolutionary Sites of Xiaotao

Former Revolutionary Sites of Xiaotao

The Former Revolutionary Sites of Xiaotao are a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Fujian Province.

The Former Revolutionary Sites of Xiaotao are located in Aotou Village, Meiban Village, Shifeng Village, Xiaotao Village, Wudi Village, and Zhongzhai Village in Xiaotao Town, Yong’an City, dating back to 1934.

Description: These include the former sites of the Red First Army Corps Aotou Battlefield Command Post and the base camp of the Northern Expeditionary Anti-Japanese Vanguard—Shanqing Hall and Renhe Hall; the former command post of the Red Ninth Army Corps at Guan Huicai’s Old House; the former command post of the Second Division of the Red First Army Corps at Wayaotou House; the temporary battlefield hospital of the Red Army at the Wansheng Hall of the Wu Ancestral Hall; the encampment sites of the Red First Army Corps at Jiqing Hall, Shude Hall, and Zhaoguang Hall; the encampment site of the Eastern Army and the Northern Expeditionary Anti-Japanese Vanguard at Shujing Hall; the former Soviet site at Zhangjiashan and the Ailin Battlefield ruins of the Xiaotao Battle. Many walls at these sites bear slogans written by the Red Army, and the Ailin Battlefield ruins still preserve trenches and the Red Army cemetery. In early July 1934, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China decided to form the Red Seventh Army Corps into the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army Anti-Japanese Vanguard. Under the escort of the Red Ninth Army Corps, the Red Seventh Army Corps set out from Ruijin, passing through Changting, Liancheng, and other places, and entered Xiaotao, Yong’an on July 15. On the same day, the Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic and the Revolutionary Military Commission of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army issued the “Declaration of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army on the Northern Expedition Against Japan.” The Anti-Japanese Vanguard used leaflets and slogans to promote their cause and continued advancing toward Datian and Youxi. On August 8, the First and Second Divisions of the Red First Army Corps entered Xiaotao from Sibao, Liancheng via Songkouping, Qingliu, and began fierce battles against the Nationalist Army in the areas of Yaling, Shilian Mountain, and Ailin starting on the 12th. In the afternoon of the 23rd, after completing their blocking mission, the Red First Army Corps withdrew completely from Hongtian and Xiaotao and headed straight for Jiangxi. The Xiaotao Battle bought precious time for safeguarding the security of the core area of the Central Soviet Region and the Long March of the main Red Army forces.

In 2018, the Former Revolutionary Sites of Xiaotao were announced by the People’s Government of Fujian Province as part of the ninth batch of provincial-level cultural heritage protection units.

Protected Area: Ailin Battlefield Ruins of the Xiaotao Battle: East to the mountain areas of Sudi Village and Xinzhai Village, south to the fruit orchard mountain areas of Zhongzhai Village residents, west to the mountain areas of Zhongzhai Village, north to the mountain areas of Wuai Village and Dake Village. Other sites: Each individual building extends 20 meters outward from its outer walls.

Xiaotao Town: Xiaotao Town is located in the southwestern part of Yong’an City, 45 kilometers from the urban area, adjacent to Xinluo District of Longyan City, Liancheng County, and Zhangping City. National Highway 205 runs through the town, making it a gateway from Sanming City to western Fujian, southern Jiangxi, and northeastern Guangdong. The town covers a total area of 413.8 square kilometers, governs 34 administrative villages and one neighborhood committee, with a total population of about 30,000. It has 37,000 mu of arable land, 520,000 mu of forested area, and 70,000 mu of bamboo forests. Major mineral resources include manganese, quartzite, peat, kaolin, diabase, iron, marble, rare earth, copper, lead-zinc, and potassium feldspar, among others, with the stone... More detailed information about Xiaotao Town++

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Fujian