Former Site of the Headquarters of the Hundred Regiments Offensive at Zhuanbi

Former Site of the Headquarters of the Hundred Regiments Offensive at Zhuanbi

The Former Site of the Headquarters of the Hundred Regiments Offensive at Zhuanbi is a cultural tourism attraction and a classic red tourism destination.

The Former Site of the Headquarters of the Hundred Regiments Offensive at Zhuanbi is located in the eastern mountainous area, 94 li from the county seat. On March 4, 1961, it was designated as one of the first batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level by the State Council.

On July 15, 1939, when the Japanese invaders launched the second nine-route offensive against the anti-Japanese base areas in southeastern Shanxi, the headquarters moved from Beicun Village in Lucheng via Xiazhuang Village in Licheng to Zhuanbi Village. After commanding the Eighth Route Army to repel the Japanese offensive and “mopping-up” operations in southeastern Shanxi, the majority of the staff left Zhuanbi, and the headquarters relocated to Wangjiayu, 10 kilometers southwest, on October 11, 1939. In June 1940, after the enemy occupied Duan Village, the headquarters returned to Zhuanbi on June 27. From there, Deputy Commander Peng and Deputy Chief of Staff Zuo Quan directed the world-shocking “Hundred Regiments Offensive.” On November 4, 1940, the headquarters moved to Wujsi in Liaoxian County (now Zuoquan County). After the counter–“mopping-up” campaign in May 1942, Deputy Commander Peng led the headquarters to Zhuanbi Village for the third time on the sixth day of the lunar calendar. A memorial service for Martyr Zuo Quan was held here, after which they soon proceeded to the Taiyue Area, later returning to Matian and Wujsi.

During the Eighth Route Army headquarters’ stay in Zhuanbi, the Party, government, and military organs were stationed in surrounding villages: the Central Committee’s Northern Bureau and the Eighth Route Army Field Political Department were based in Tuhé Village; the Northern Bureau Party School in Shangbeizhang; the North China Xinhua Daily in Anlezhuang; and the headquarters’ Military Law Office in Nanshan Tou. As a result, this ordinary village became the command center of the anti-Japanese front in North China. Leaders of the Eighth Route Army such as Chen Geng, Lu Dingyi, Fu Zhong, Yang Lisan, and others frequently attended important political and military meetings at the headquarters. On September 23, 1940, the Central Committee’s Northern Bureau held a senior cadres meeting in Zhuanbi. Comrade Luo Ruiqing delivered a political report on “The Fundamental Principles of Our Army's Political Work in the Anti-Japanese War, Review of Our Army’s Political Work Over the Past Three Years, and Current Issues in Political Work.” Comrade Peng Dehuai presented an outline on international and domestic situations and several issues regarding consolidating the anti-Japanese base areas. Others spoke on various aspects of base area construction. These meetings played a crucial role in developing guerrilla warfare and establishing the base areas.

During the headquarters’ time in Zhuanbi, it commanded the Eighth Route Army in North China to carry out a series of renowned battles and engagements.

In July 1940, Deputy Commander Peng, Deputy Chief of Staff Zuo Quan, Director Luo Ruiqing, and leaders including Nie Rongzhen and Lü Zhengcao deployed and directed the world-shocking “Hundred Regiments Offensive” here. This operation broke the Japanese “cage policy,” tied down large numbers of enemy troops, delayed their advance toward our rear areas, and curbed the then-emerging undercurrents of compromise and surrender.

On March 4, 1961, the State Council declared the former site of the Eighth Route Army General Headquarters at Zhuanbi as one of the first batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level. In 1979, with funding from the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the provincial, regional, and county authorities organized the renovation of the old headquarters buildings, including the New Kiln Courtyard, Li Family Ancestral Hall, Buddha Temple, Goddess Temple, and Jade Emperor Temple. Work included roof repairs, demolition and reconstruction, and restoration of interiors to their original layout. The site officially opened to the public on October 1, 1980, attracting numerous visitors each year. Since then, this small mountain village of Zhuanbi has become widely known as a revolutionary holy land.

Address: Zhuanbi Village, Panlong Town, Wuxiang County

Phone: 0355-6459083

Zhuanbi Village: Located in Panlong Town, eastern Wuxiang County, Zhuanbi Village lies 45 kilometers from the county seat. It gained fame during the War of Resistance as the long-term headquarters of the Eighth Route Army and the site where the world-renowned “Hundred Regiments Offensive” was commanded. Designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level by the State Council in 1961, it was listed among China’s 100 Classic Red Tourism Attractions in 2005. The village has 124 households, a population of 422, a total area of 5,500 mu, arable land of 960 mu, and barren hills and wasteland spanning 3,540 mu. It is a purely agricultural village.

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