Former Residence of Wu Yuzhang

Former Residence of Wu Yuzhang

The Former Residence of Wu Yuzhang is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a key cultural relic protection unit of China.

The Former Residence of Wu Yuzhang is located in Caijiayan Village, Jintai Township, approximately 15 kilometers southeast of Rong County. It currently preserves three earthen-and-wood structures, two of which have upper floors, covering a total area of 96 square meters. In 1958, when Wu Yuzhang returned to the county, he donated the old house to establish a normal school. After the school relocated in 1983, it was converted into Caijiayan Middle School (now named Yuzhang Middle School). In 1988, on the 110th anniversary of Wu’s birth, the state allocated funds to rebuild the residence west of the original site, renovate the road leading to Shuangshi Township, and reconstruct the Caijiayan Bridge. The renovated residence covers an area of 15,500 square meters, with a total construction area of 1,050 square meters. Above the main gate hangs a plaque inscribed by the President of China: “Former Residence of Wu Yuzhang.” On the pillars inside the entrance are engraved couplets: “The crabapple tree in bloom brings joy to brothers; the field of books yields crops for children tax-free.” At the center of the courtyard stands a bust of Wu Yuzhang. The front of the base is inscribed with words from the President: “Wu Yuzhang, an outstanding proletarian revolutionary, educator, historian, and linguist of our country.” The back of the base bears an inscription in traditional Chinese characters recounting Wu Yuzhang’s life story. Above the door of the main hall hangs a plaque written by Marshal [Name] reading “Pioneer of the Revolution.”

The Rong County Yuzhang Hometown Cultural Tourism Scenic Area is the birthplace and childhood home of Comrade Wu Yuzhang, an outstanding proletarian revolutionary, educator, historian, and linguist. It is located in Caijiayan Village and Jintai Village, Shuangshi Town, Rong County, Zigong City, 12 kilometers from the county seat and 27 kilometers from Zigong City. It lies south of the Leshan-Zigong Expressway and north of the Neijiang-Weiyuan-Rong County Expressway, and is just 15.5 kilometers from the Fengming General Airport in Zigong, making transportation highly convenient.

Centered on promoting and inheriting the spirit of Wu Yuzhang, and featuring farmer cartoons, the scenic area combines the simple cultural environment of the gentle hills of southern Sichuan. Following the concept of “culture as soul, environment as scenery, and industry as support,” the planned area spans 9.64 square kilometers, including the 2.2-square-kilometer core zone—the Wu Yuzhang Residence Tourist Area. The area is designed to be a distinctive cultural tourism destination integrating red culture, farmer cartoons, rural leisure tourism, and modern agriculture.

Nestled against mountains and near water, the scenic area boasts beautiful scenery and abundant tourism resources. The core zone, the Former Residence of Wu Yuzhang, is a key national cultural relic protection unit. Built between 1837 (the 17th year of the Qing Daoguang reign) and 1878 (the 4th year of the Qing Guangxu reign), it features post-and-lintel timber structures. It has been designated as a Sichuan Provincial Patriotic Education Base, Integrity Culture Education Base, United Front Chinese Socialist Characteristics Education Base, and Youth Social Practice Education Base. In May 2006, it was listed as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit by the State Council, and in February 2018, it was rated as a National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction. The Dacai Ancient Stockade, situated in a strategically important location, was historically built during the transition from the Song to the Yuan Dynasty to escape war. Its well-preserved buildings served as the site of Wu Yuzhang’s childhood private school. Rong County Farmer Cartoons, with a history of nearly a century, are characterized by strong local flavor, rich regional characteristics, and high ideological and artistic value, and are recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Zigong City. The scenic area also features attractions such as Yongshan Lake Wetland Park and garden ecological landscapes, making it an ideal destination for leisure, team-building experiences, and educational training.

Protected Area: East to the current road leading to Lizi Village, south to the wall adjacent to the newly built road, west to the wall, and north to the wall by the relatives’ gravesite of Elder Wu. The area covers 4.15 hectares.

Construction Control Zone: East to the 389.4-meter contour line of the natural Xiniu Mountain terrain, south to the 373.8-meter elevation point of the natural mountain south of Wu’s former residence, west to the Caijiayan Riverbank, and north along the 389.4-meter elevation point of the natural Xiniu Mountain terrain to the opposite bank of the Caijiayan River.

Wu Yuzhang (December 30, 1878 – December 12, 1966), originally named Yongshan and styled Shuren, was a native of Rong County, Sichuan. Having lived through the Hundred Days' Reform, the Xinhai Revolution, the anti-Yuan War, the Northern Expedition, the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Liberation War, and the founding of New China, Wu became a revolutionary figure who spanned centuries. Alongside Dong Biwu, Xu Teli, Xie Juezai, and Lin Boqu, he was honored as one of the “Five Elders of Yan’an.” From joining the Tongmenghui to becoming a member of the Communist Party of China, and from participating in the old democratic revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen to engaging in the new democratic revolution under the leadership of the CPC... More details about Wu Yuzhang ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relic Protection Units