Former Site of the Central Red Army Arsenal

Former Site of the Central Red Army Arsenal

The former site of the Central Red Army Arsenal is a cultural tourism attraction and a classic red tourism destination.

The former site complex of the Central Arsenal is located in Guantian Village, Xinglian Township, Xingguan County, Zhaisang Village, Gulougang Town, and other areas. It consists of the Libu residential house, Chen Family Ancestral Hall, Wenhua Public Ancestral Hall, Wanshou Palace, Central Dam (a sports and recreational facility for arsenal workers), and Liu Family Ancestral Hall in Zhaisang, Gulougang Town.

In October 1931, the first large arsenal of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army was established in Guantian Village, Xingguan. It was publicly known as the "Central Arsenal," also referred to as the "Arsenal of the Central Revolutionary Military Commission" or the "Central Red Army Arsenal." The factory included an Ammunition Department, -- Department, Arms Repair Department, Leather Department, General Affairs Office, Guard and Special Operations Company, and a Transport Horse Team. These were distributed across two large ancestral halls, one Wanshou Palace, and over 100 nearby residential houses. The total number of workers grew from just over 240 initially to more than 500 by 1933. In January 1932, the Central Revolutionary Military Commission ordered the establishment of a separate Ammunition Factory dedicated to ammunition production. In May, based on the -- Department and Ammunition Department, the Central Arsenal expanded to include a -- Factory, a Miscellaneous Arms Factory (producing bayonets, picks, shovels, and other military tools), and an Ammunition Factory—three branch factories. In the summer of 1932, the arsenal set up a Miscellaneous Arms Factory in Zhaisang Village, Gulougang Town, and an Ammunition Factory in Yinjing, establishing these as branch facilities. The arsenal owned one 15-horsepower hydroelectric generator and one 30-horsepower gasoline engine. During its more than two years stationed in Guantian, the Central Arsenal repaired and assembled over 40,000 rifles, more than 2,000 machine guns, over 100 mortars, and 2 mountain guns; it produced over 400,000 rounds of ammunition, over 5,000 grenades, over 60,000 handguns, and countless bayonets, broadswords, shovels, and picks. In the summer of 1934, the Central Arsenal relocated to Gangmian, Ruijin.

The headquarters was located in the Libu residential house, facing west with an eastward orientation. It is a two-story brick-and-wood structure with a gable and hip roof, covering a construction area of 772 square meters.

The Ammunition Department was housed in the Wenhua Public Ancestral Hall, facing northwest with a southeast orientation. It is a brick-and-wood structure with a flush gable roof, upturned eaves, and a post-and-lintel beam system, covering a construction area of 355 square meters.

The former site of the Ironworks Department faces south with a northward orientation and features an earthen and wood structure with a gable and hip roof. The worker dormitories and club were located in the Wanshou Palace, which faces northwest with a southeast orientation. It is an earthen and wood structure with a flush gable roof and a post-and-lintel beam system, covering a construction area of 628 square meters.

The -- Department was located in the Chen Family Ancestral Hall, facing northwest with a southeast orientation. It is a brick-and-wood structure with a flush gable roof, upturned eaves, and a raised-beam frame, covering a construction area of 414 square meters.

The former site of the Miscellaneous Arms Factory faces south, with the building divided into upper and lower halls. It is a brick-and-wood structure with a gable and hip roof, fireproof walls, and covers a construction area of 310 square meters.

The Central Arsenal in Guantian, Xingguan, is the founding site of the People's Liberation Army’s ordnance industry. In December 1987, it was listed as a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit. In June 2001, it was designated as part of the second group of 100 National Patriotic Education Demonstration Bases. In May 2006, it was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. In October 2009, it was recognized by the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense as one of the first National Defense Industry Cultural Education Bases.

Guantian Village: Located in the southeastern part of Xinglian Township, Guantian Village is 3 kilometers from the township government, covering an area of 14 square kilometers. The village has a population of 2,997 and includes 13 villager groups: Xiekeng, Tongjiang, Zhaixia, Daping, Hebei, Qianxia, Libu, Shanshang, Cunshang, Guanxi, Xinwu, Laowu, and Shuikou. It has 1,480 mu of arable land and 12,300 mu of forested land. The area produces pollution-free fruits and has a standardized camellia oil base. The former site complex of China’s First Central Arsenal has been developed into a red tourism scenic area, creating a Guantian with Chinese characteristics. Guantian is an excellent destination for sightseeing and investment development. … Detailed information about Guantian Village++