Eighth Route Army Mianchi Barracks

Eighth Route Army Mianchi Barracks

The Eighth Route Army Mianchi Barracks is a national AA-level tourist attraction, a cultural heritage site protected by Henan Province, and a classic red tourism destination.

The Eighth Route Army Mianchi Barracks is situated within a traditional courtyard house in Xiaozhai Village, Dongguan Town, Mianchi County. It faces south with its back to the north, surrounded by residential buildings on the east, west, and north, with a pathway along the eastern wall and a single-story shop fronting Yanshao Avenue to the south. The site remains intact, showcasing the architectural style of western Henan. The buildings feature brick-and-wood structures with raised-beam single-eave flush-gable roofs covered in small blue tiles. Restored spaces include Zhu De’s living quarters, a reception room, a guard platoon room, and a meeting room, now open to the public free of charge.

In the spring of 1938, as large swathes of eastern Henan fell to Japanese forces, the situation in the province grew increasingly dire. The Kuomintang (KMT) government and party institutions relocated to southwestern Henan, and the headquarters of the First War Zone Command moved from Zhengzhou to Luoyang, making the city the military and political hub of Henan. To facilitate direct high-level communication with the First War Zone Command, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee decided to establish an office for the Eighth Route Army in Luoyang. Liu Xiangsan, head of the CCP Central Military Commission’s liaison department, was tasked with this mission. In October 1938, Liu arrived in Luoyang with over 50 experienced military officers who had endured the Long March and a guard platoon. At the time, Cheng Qian was the commander of the First War Zone. Presenting documents signed by Zhu De and Peng Dehuai, along with a letter from Lin Boqu to Cheng, Liu negotiated persistently until Cheng agreed to set up the “Eighth Route Army Luoyang Communication Office” in Tiekuo Lane, southern Luoyang. Early the following year, Wei Lihuang succeeded Cheng as commander. After further negotiations, the office was officially renamed the “Eighth Route Army Luoyang Office,” abbreviated as the “Lu Office.” Initially, Cheng Qian expressed concerns about the office’s sizable presence and influence, leading Liu Xiangsan to retain only a dozen cadres in Luoyang while bringing the remaining 30-plus personnel to Mianchi.

Strategically located at the intersection of the Longhai Railway and the Nanhuan Highway, Mianchi was a critical military stronghold. It held significant importance for the Eighth Route Army as well: eastward via the Luoyang Office, it connected to the New Fourth Army’s Eighth Regiment rear base in Zhugou, Queshan County; westward through the Xi’an Office, it linked to the revolutionary holy land of Yan’an; southward, it provided access to the Funiu Mountain region, ideal for guerrilla warfare; and northward along the Nanhuan Highway, it reached the Yellow River crossing to the Second War Zone in Shanxi. Securing this small county town would facilitate the transport of supplies for various military units. After thorough reconnaissance, Liu Xiangsan concluded that establishing a barracks in Mianchi was feasible. Upon receiving approval from the Eighth Route Army headquarters, preparations commenced immediately. Liu personally negotiated with Li Shude, the KMT magistrate of Mianchi County, presenting credentials from various authorities to explain their mission while conducting meticulous political work. Li agreed to support the establishment of the Mianchi Barracks and provided substantial assistance. Thus, in November 1938, the Eighth Route Army Mianchi Barracks was established in Xiaozhai Village, Dongguan Town. The organizational evolution of the Mianchi Barracks can be divided into two phases: the first phase (November 1938 – March 1939) saw the barracks under the jurisdiction of the Luoyang Office, led by Station Chief Hu Zhaolin and Deputy Chief Xu Shikui, with a staff of over 50, including clerks, couriers, a guard platoon, a cooking squad, and others. The second phase (March 1939 – June 1940) placed the barracks under the Second Office in Guanjiayuan, Yuanqu County. Led by Station Chief Li Peng and Deputy Chief Li Ping, the barracks retained similar roles—clerks, couriers, guards, a cooking squad, a guard platoon, and stablehands—totaling around 50 personnel.

Primary Functions of the Mianchi Barracks: Initially, the Mianchi Barracks focused on military training in preparation for armed resistance in case of a Japanese westward advance into western Henan. However, as the war situation evolved and Japanese forces temporarily halted their westward push, the barracks’ priorities shifted to shielding local party meetings, escorting and protecting passing cadres, and transshipping combat supplies. In May 1940, the barracks received orders to evacuate. Station Chief Li Peng led some soldiers back to Yan’an, while the remaining personnel withdrew entirely to the Eighth Route Army headquarters in July.

The Eighth Route Army Mianchi Barracks served as a crucial transportation hub linking the CCP and the Eighth Route Army’s frontline headquarters in the Taihang Mountains. It played a pivotal role in delivering military supplies to the front lines and escorting cadres and progressive students traveling between Yan’an and other revolutionary bases in East China, North China, and Northern Jiangsu. The establishment of the barracks significantly contributed to expanding the Party’s ranks, broadening the anti-Japanese national united front, and consolidating the revolutionary base in western Henan.

On June 2, 1963, the former site of the Eighth Route Army Mianchi Barracks was designated a key cultural relic protection unit by the People’s Government of Henan Province. In 2005, it was included in the provincial tourism administration’s “Red Tourism – Party Spirit Cultivation Tour” premium itinerary and recognized by the Sanmenxia Municipal Party Committee, Municipal Government, and Municipal Civilization Office as the “Sanmenxia Revolutionary Tradition Education Base” and “Minority Ideological and Moral Education Base,” among other honors.

Dongguan Town: As the political, economic, and cultural center of Mianchi County, Dongguan Town boasts convenient transportation and a prime location, intersected by the Longhai Railway, Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway, National Highway 310, and the Nanyan National Defense Highway. The town comprises 13 village committees and 6 residential committees, with a total population of 66,000 and an area of 34 square kilometers, including 21,000 agricultural residents and 18,000 mu of arable land.

In recent years, leveraging its superior geographic conditions and unique locational advantages, Dongguan Town has adopted the overarching development strategy of “providing services for the city and seeking growth through the city.” (Detailed information about Dongguan Town++)

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units