Huguo Park

Huguo Park

In February 1916, the Huguo Army suffered setbacks in the attack on Luzhou and retreated to Naxi, blocking the enemy at the strategically vital Mianhuapo area of Naxi. In mid-March, the Huguo Army launched another three-pronged offensive on Luzhou, achieving a phased victory that turned the tide of the war. To commemorate the significant contributions of the Huguo War in Naxi District, Luzhou City, Naxi District built Huguo Park, hoping that the glorious history of the Huguo War could be passed down from generation to generation.

Located at the intersection of Lan’an Avenue and Ziyang Avenue, Huguo Park is the gateway to Luzhou from the south and plays an important role in public outreach. Spanning approximately 130 acres with a total investment of about 65 million yuan, the park mainly consists of four parts: the Huguo War Sculpture Group, an Astronomical and Meteorological Station, the Huguo War Memorial Hall, and the Nanmu Bay Water Park. As the largest patriotic education and science-themed park for youth in southern Sichuan, Huguo Park meets the needs of local residents for daily leisure and provides practical learning opportunities for young people. It also serves to commemorate the Huguo War and promote red culture.

The park’s front plaza covers about 3,000 square meters. At its center, a large sculpture themed around General Cai E and the Huguo War is under construction. The sculpture base, 9.6 meters high and shaped like a gunstock, supports the main figure—General Cai E on horseback waving—with a height of 4.5 meters. The lower section depicts scenes from the Battle of Mianhuapo and the war, encapsulating the park’s core themes. The sculpture vividly captures the brilliance of the Huguo War in Naxi, General Cai E’s heroic qualities and strategic brilliance, as well as battle scenes from the Battle of Mianhuapo—the battle where Marshal Zhu De rose to fame. It also reflects how, at a critical juncture in China’s history, people from all walks of life awakened and voluntarily stood at the forefront of the era, shouldering responsibility for the nation by raising the first banner against Yuan Shikai in the Huguo War. The monument embodies the patriotism that stands up for the people’s interests, the fearless courage to challenge power and lead the way, the spirit of sacrifice for a just cause, and traditional moral values such as "worry before the world worries, and rejoice after the world rejoices."

Further down is Nanmu Bay Lake, whose clear waters are surrounded by pavilions. It is the most ideal spot in Huguo Park for recreational activities among local citizens, serving nearby residents with its beautiful environment. The lakeside leisure area was transformed from an existing pond and accommodates activities such as fishing and walking.

Officially opened in September 2012, Huguo Park has since remained a top destination for locals in Naxi District to relax and unwind. The park continues to improve its facilities and landscaping, enhancing its overall quality to provide a pleasant space for local leisure and entertainment, as well as serving as an important venue for showcasing Naxi’s red culture and urban identity.

Adjacent to Huguo Park is the Huguo War Memorial Hall, originally known as the Tao Family Compound. Built in 1852 by a local landlord named Tao Dafu, it boasts a history of 160 years. With a total area of 8,655 square meters and laid out in a traditional quadrangle style, the compound originally featured a triple gate, a triple hall, four courtyards, eight skylights, and 38 rooms—including living quarters and auxiliary structures. The Tao Family Compound once served as the headquarters during the Battle of Mianhuapo in the Huguo War. As a provincial-level cultural heritage site, although time and change have taken their toll, most of the structure remains well-preserved. It reflects the essence of traditional architecture in southern Sichuan and bears witness to the turbulent yet heroic days of the iron-willed defense of the nation and the deep patriotism of the people of Yuxi.

To promote the “Huguo” spirit and preserve Naxi’s culture, in spring 2012, the Naxi District Committee and Government began restoring the Tao Family Compound according to the principle of “restoring the old as it was,” gradually transforming it into China’s first Huguo War Memorial Hall.

Cai E (1882–1916)

Governor of the Yunnan Military Government, Commander-in-Chief of the First Army of the Anti-Yuan Huguo Campaign, and Senior General.

Born on December 18, 1882, in Qinqin Township, Shaoyang County (now Dayang District of Shaoyang City), Hunan Province, Cai E—courtesy name Songpo—was born into a poor farming family. At age 5, he moved with his parents to Shanmen in Xiangkang County. He started studying at a private school at the age of 6 and had finished reading the Four Books and Five Classics by age 10, demonstrating exceptional writing skills and earning the title of "child prodigy." By age 13, he excelled in historical studies and literary composition, passing the xiucai (scholar) examination with high honors. At age 15, he enrolled in Hunan’s Shiwu School. … More details about Cai E ++