Taohuaxi Revolutionary Site

Taohuaxi Revolutionary Site

The Taohuaxi Revolutionary Site is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Fujian Province.

The Taohuaxi Revolutionary Site is located in Taohuaxi Natural Village, Taokeng Village, Huotong Town, Jiaocheng District, Ningde City, dating back to 1934–1937.

Overview: It includes the former headquarters of the Min Dong Independent Division of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, former residences of Ye Fei, Ruan Yingping, Fan Shiping, and Chen Ting, the former site of the Red Army Clothing Factory, as well as trench remains. Taohuaxi (Taokeng) lies at the junction of three towns—Huotong, Hubei, and Yangzhong—surrounded by high mountains, dense forests, rugged terrain, and excellent natural conditions and mass support. It was not only the birthplace of the Min Dong Independent Division of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and a key stronghold during the three-year guerrilla war in Min Dong, but also the assembly and training ground where the Min Dong Red Army was reorganized into the 6th Regiment of the New Fourth Army’s 3rd Detachment before marching north to fight in the War of Resistance against Japan, becoming one of the major revolutionary bases in Min Dong. In late September 1934, the 2nd Independent Regiment of the Min Dong Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, the 13th Independent Regiment of the Min Dong Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, and the Independent Battalion of the Min Dong Red Army converged at Zhiti Temple in Taohuaxi, Ningde, and were merged into the Min Dong Independent Division of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, with Commander Feng PinTai, Political Commissar Ye Fei, and Deputy Commander Lai Jinbiao. The division headquarters was set up in the ancestral hall of the Chen family in Taohuaxi. The establishment of the Min Dong Independent Division marked a new chapter in the revolution of Min Dong, as the Party finally had a unified, brave, and combat-effective main force in the region. The Min Dong Red Army built repair workshops, clothing factories, field hospitals, warehouses, and trenches across the vast mountain forests around Taohuaxi, making Taohuaxi and Meikeng hubs of revolutionary activity. Long-term leaders of the Min Dong revolution such as Ye Fei, Ruan Yingping, Fan Shiping, and Chen Ting resided and worked here for extended periods, leading the people of Min Dong in a prolonged and determined struggle.

Protected Area: Former Headquarters of the Min Dong Independent Division of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army: Extends 3 meters east to the roadbed break, 0.5 meters south to the adjacent residential building, 7 meters west to the break, and north to the enclosing wall of the Red Army meeting venue. Former Residences of Ye Fei and Ruan Yingping: East to the small path in front of the door, south to the vegetable garden south of Ruan Yingping’s former residence, west to the east edge of the cement road, and north to the roadbed break. Former Residence of Fan Shiping: East to the small path in front of the gate, 1 meter south, 7 meters west to the vegetable garden, and north to the building’s drip line. Former Residence of Chen Ting: 2 meters east, 2.5 meters south, west to the adjacent western residence, and 2 meters north to the cement road. Former Site of the Red Army Clothing Factory: East to the front break, 0.5 meters south and west to the vegetable garden, and 2 meters north to the residential building. Trench Remains of the Red Army: Extend 3–10 meters outward from both ends of the trenches, covering an area of 472 square meters.

In 2018, the Taohuaxi Revolutionary Site was designated as part of the ninth batch of provincial-level cultural heritage protection units by the People's Government of Fujian Province.

Taokeng Village: Legend has it that the village was named for its many peach trees and a stream behind the village. A brigade was established here in 1958, which became a village committee in 1984. The village committee is headquartered 37 kilometers southwest of the town center, at an elevation of 760 meters, southwest of Zhiti Temple, bordering Hubei Township to the west and Yangzhong Town to the south. It is a key base village of the revolutionary old district. The jurisdiction currently covers three natural villages: Taohuaxi, Taohuaxi Dapingkeng, and Huxinkeng. There are eight villager groups, 159 households, 602 residents, including two with university education. Cultivated land spans 749 mu, and forest land exceeds 30,000 mu. Major agricultural products include rice, sweet potatoes, and potatoes. Forestry resources include bamboo... More details on Taokeng Village++

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Fujian Province