Former Site of Commander-in-Chief Li Zongren's Headquarters (Old Laohukou City Museum)

Former Site of Commander-in-Chief Li Zongren's Headquarters (Old Laohukou City Museum)

The Former Site of Commander-in-Chief Li Zongren's Headquarters (Old Laohukou City Museum) is a national AA-level tourist attraction, a cultural heritage site protected by Hubei Province, a classic red tourism destination, and a base for patriotic education.

In 1939, during the most severe, brutal, and critical period of the Anti-Japanese War, patriotic General Li Zongren, based on an analysis of the overall military situation in the fight against Japanese aggression, relocated the headquarters of the Fifth War Zone to Old Laohukou. From autumn 1939 to March 1945, the headquarters remained stationed in Old Laohukou and persisted in the resistance for six years. The "Former Site of Commander-in-Chief Li Zongren of the Fifth War Zone during the Anti-Japanese War" (hereinafter referred to as the "Former Site") is located on the east side of Beijing Road in downtown Laohukou. The original building consisted of one courtyard with three sections: the front and middle courtyards were typical northern-style brick-and-wood residential structures, while the rear courtyard was a brick-and-wood building with European architectural elements. The current building area is 824 square meters, covering a total area of 2,530 square meters. Restored facilities include a "Senior Generals' Military Conference Room," "General Li’s Study and Bedroom," "Aides’ Office," "Reception Room," "Investigation Room," "Cipher Office," and "Operations Room."

The basic exhibition at the "Former Site," titled "Never Forget History · Let the Alarm Bell Ring Forever," focuses on introducing Li Zongren, a leader of the Guangxi Clique. Influenced by the policy of the united anti-Japanese national front, he insisted on “scorched-earth resistance” during the nation’s time of peril. He led the patriotic troops of the Fifth War Zone in the Battle of Xuzhou, achieving the first major victory on the frontal battlefield—the victorious Battle of Taierzhuang. After relocating to Laohukou, his forces disrupted the Beiping-Hankou Railway, contained Wuhan, shielded Sichuan and Shaanxi, and remained active in the Hubei, Henan, and Anhui regions. They engaged in famous battles such as the Suizao Campaign, Zaoyi Campaign, and Southern Henan–Northern Hubei Campaign, annihilating over 100,000 enemy troops, defending vast territories in northern Hubei and southern Henan, and thwarting Japanese plans to consolidate Central China and dominate Northwest China.

The exhibits at the "Former Site" objectively reflect, through precious historical materials, how Li Zongren—caught between pressures—sometimes cooperated with Chiang Kai-shek to suppress the Communists, and other times tolerated or allied with them to resist Japan. Essentially, he maintained an enlightened policy of resisting Japan and loving the nation. This approach attracted a large number of Communists and progressive cultural figures to gather in Laohukou, such as Hu Sheng, Liu Zhongrong, Yao Xueyin, Bi Ye, Zang Kejia, Zhang Guangnian, and Wang Jizhou. They frequently published progressive articles in newspapers like the Ebei Daily and Zhenzhong Daily, created anti-Japanese literary and artistic works, or performed in salvation activities. These efforts greatly inspired the patriotic spirit of the officers and soldiers of the Fifth War Zone in resisting the invaders, making the cultural and propaganda activities in Laohukou exceptionally vibrant. The city became the second cultural hub of wartime China after Guilin.

During his time in Laohukou, Li Zongren paid attention to the welfare of the people, maintained public order, developed culture and education, and strongly promoted sports activities. To advance local education, he personally initiated fundraising to establish Delin Primary School and Siwei Primary School. To address the difficulty locals faced in accessing healthcare, he founded a civilian hospital. These educational and philanthropic efforts earned him high praise and affection from the people of Laohukou. Li Zongren also built Zhongshan Park, Zhongshan Pavilion, Zhongshan Hall, and a Monument to Fallen Anti-Japanese Soldiers, and personally initiated anti-smoking and anti-gambling campaigns among both civilians and soldiers. In his later years, Mr. Li Zongren, overcoming various obstacles, resolutely returned to New China, once again demonstrating the heart of a patriot.

In 1987, the Old Laohukou Municipal Government invested in the restoration of the middle courtyard of the "Former Site," opening it to the public as a site for patriotic education and the promotion of the Party’s united front policies. In the same year, the "Former Site" was designated as a municipal-level key cultural heritage protection unit. In 1996, following the principle of “restoring the old as it was,” the entire site was fully restored along with supplementary facilities such as a stele corridor. In 2002, it was announced as part of the fourth batch of provincial-level key cultural heritage protection units.

Li Zongren (1891–1969) was a Han Chinese from Lingui, Guangxi. His courtesy name was Delin. He served as the head of the Nanning Branch of Whampoa Military Academy, a senior general of the Kuomintang, a military strategist, a famous anti-Japanese commander, and a patriotic figure. He once held the positions of Vice President and Acting President of the Republic of China. In 1965 (at age 74), he returned to mainland China from the United States. He passed away in Beijing in 1969.

Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi were known as "Bai-Li." The two were the core of the Guangxi Clique, the most powerful regional military force within the Kuomintang, and had been closely cooperating for many years. Initially, they joined Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary camp in Guangzhou together, and...  More details about Li Zongren++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units