Nanniwan Revolutionary Site

Nanniwan Revolutionary Site

The Nanniwan Revolutionary Site is a classic destination for red tourism.

The Nanniwan Spirit is an important component of the Yan’an Spirit. Its core values of self-reliance and striving for strength have inspired generations of Chinese people to overcome hardships and achieve victory.

In March 1941, the 359th Brigade of the Eighth Route Army, led by Commander Wang Zhen, launched the famous large-scale production campaign in Nanniwan. In the spring of 1941, due to the economic blockade imposed on the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region and anti-Japanese base areas by the reactionary Kuomintang, external supplies could not be transported in. Thus, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China ordered the 359th Brigade to settle in Nanniwan and implement military farming for self-rescue. Without houses, they dug caves by hand; without vegetables, they foraged wild plants; without tools, they made their own hoes and shovels. With astonishing perseverance, they planted crops in the barren mountains and wilderness. In just three years, the 359th Brigade, under the leadership of Commander Wang Zhen, carried forward the revolutionary spirit of “self-reliance and hard struggle,” transforming the thorny, uninhabited Nanniwan into a thriving northern Shaanxi “land of fish and rice,” where “crops flourished everywhere and herds of livestock roamed the plains.”

Nanniwan is the birthplace of the Chinese Communist Party’s military reclamation efforts and the cradle of the Nanniwan Spirit. Located 45 kilometers east of Yan’an city, it spans hundreds of square kilometers, featuring deep valleys, overlapping mountains, dense forests, and fertile land. Three major valleys form a “Y” shape — to the west is the Nanpanlong Valley, to the south is the Jiulongquan Valley, and to the east is the Nanyangfu Valley, where the three valleys meet at Yangwan.

In 1940, Commander Zhu De personally surveyed Nanniwan in accordance with the Central Committee’s directive to launch a large-scale production campaign and decided to establish military farming here for self-sufficiency. In the spring of 1941, the 359th Brigade of the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army was ordered to move into Nanniwan. Led by Commander and Political Commissar Wang Zhen, they cleared the land, tilled the fields, endured harsh conditions, and overcame numerous obstacles to create substantial material wealth. In 1942, the brigade’s total annual expenditure was 7,390,324 yuan, of which government supply covered only 3,050,428.8 yuan, accounting for 2.45% of the total, while self-produced goods accounted for 66,786,033 yuan, or 61.55%. By 1943, self-sufficiency reached 100%. By the end of 1944, the 359th Brigade had reclaimed 61,000 mu of land, harvested 37,000 dan of grain, raised 5,624 pigs, and contributed 10,000 dan of public grain, achieving the goal of “planting one for food, one for surplus.” They also dug 1,048 earthen caves, built 602 houses, constructed one large auditorium and two smaller ones, and drilled 47 wells. The brigade established the Daguang Textile Factory, whose products were used for military needs and also sold on the market, creating unprecedented miracles in the history of the People’s Army. In July 1942, Zhu De, Xu Teli, Xie Juezai, Wu Yuzhang, and Xue Fanqingtou visited Nanniwan together. Zhu De composed a poem praising the transformation: “When I first came here last year, the land was overgrown with weeds. No place to camp at night, even broken caves were hard to find. Now a new market thrives, caves dot the hillsides. Plains grow fine crops, and paddies yield new rice. Farming achievements are just in, soldiers have basic food and clothing. Ranches boast fat cattle and sheep, and Makan paper sells well. ... A warm breeze greets the face, like a taste of southern paradise.” In September, Wu Yuzhang wrote a poem in response titled “In Reply to Commander Zhu’s Visit to Nanniwan”: “Mountains all around lie low, boundless green reaches the sky; In peak of summer, plants grow thick, the earth has no empty space. To the south lies Jiulongquan, to the west Mount Wanhuahua; In the center Nanyangfu, to the northeast Golden Basin Bay; Thousands of hectares of fertile land, surrounded by layered peaks; Green hills and clear waters, as beautiful as the southern shore.” In February 1943, at a Northwest Bureau meeting, Mao Zedong inscribed words of praise for four officers of the brigade: “Creative spirit” for Wang Zhen, “Practical and unselfish” for He Weizhong, head of the supply department, “Lead by example” for Luo Zhang, political commissar of the supply department, and “Firmly implement the reclamation policy” for Yan Fusheng, political commissar of the 717th Regiment. The meeting awarded the 359th Brigade a banner inscribed with “Vanguard of Economic Development.” In March, over 80 members of the Yan’an literary and art labor troupe and the Luxun Art Academy yangge team visited Nanniwan to offer condolences. Xiao San, Ai Qing, Tian Fang, and others delivered speeches. The yangge performance “Picking Flower Baskets,” with lyrics by He Jingzhi and music by Ma Ke, captivated soldiers and civilians alike: “The good Jiangnan of northern Shaanxi, flowers bloom all over the hills, bloom (ya) all over the hills; Learn from Nanniwan, Jiangnan is everywhere, fighting and producing, the 359th Brigade is a model.” The ever-popular song “Nanniwan” was born from this and is still sung today. In October 1943, Mao Zedong, Ren Bishi, and Peng Dehuai inspected Nanniwan. They visited the brigade headquarters in Jinpenwan, the 719th Regiment in Jiulongquan, and the Eighth Route Army Artillery School in Taobaoyu. During the inspection, Mao pointed out: “Difficulties are not unconquerable monsters. If everyone pitches in to conquer them, they will yield. Everyone practices self-reliance, and we have food, clothing, and necessities. Currently, we have no foreign aid. Even if we do in the future, self-reliance must remain primary.” In 1944, to prepare for the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the 359th Brigade formed the Southward Column and left Yan’an.

At that time, other units also participated in the reclamation efforts in Nanniwan, including the Eighth Route Army Artillery School, the Central Organization Department, the Central Administration Bureau, the Logistics Economics Department, the Northwest Central Bureau, the Border Region Government Finance Office, the Border Region Literature Association, the Central Party School, Yan’an University, and the Ze Dong Youth Cadre School.

The Nanniwan Spirit is an important part of the Yan’an Spirit. Its core values of self-reliance and striving for strength have inspired generations of Chinese people to overcome hardships and achieve victory. During the Liberation War, the 359th Brigade was reorganized into the 5th Division of the 2nd Army of the First Field Army. After advancing into Xinjiang, it was stationed in the Tarim Basin. In 1953, it was collectively converted into the 1st Agricultural Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. In 1959, they founded a textile factory to commemorate the unit’s glorious history, naming it the Daguang Cotton and Wool Textile Mill. For over 50 years, they rooted themselves in the borderlands, defended the frontier, and developed the region’s economy, making tremendous sacrifices and contributions. This gave rise to the illustrious Corps Spirit, which is the continuation and development of the Nanniwan Spirit in a new historical context. By 1998, research associations on Nanniwan had been established in Guangdong, Hunan, and other regions.

In 1990, Nanniwan Town was listed as the first science and technology demonstration town in the former Yan’an region. A new wave of large-scale production campaigns swept through Nanniwan. Angora goats were successfully bred in Nanniwan, filling a gap in China’s sheep farming industry. In 1991, State Councilors Chen Junsheng and Song Jian successively inspected the sheep farm. In 1993, Deng Nan, Deputy Director of the State Science and Technology Commission, also paid a visit.

In 1988, the first oil wells in Nanniwan began producing oil. In September 1989, General Secretary - visited Nanniwan. Gazing at the gushing crude oil, he joyfully remarked, “It seems this oil is even clearer than Daqing’s!” and inquired in detail about the oil quality and development. The Nanniwan Drilling and Extraction Corporation inherited the Nanniwan Spirit, pioneering arduous entrepreneurship and achieving remarkable results, earning the title “New 359th Brigade.”

“Nanniwan today is not what it used to be.” Nowadays, Nanniwan has developed into a multifunctional economic and cultural hub, centered around revolutionary memorial sites and integrating sightseeing, tourism, and comprehensive economic development. Its picturesque pastoral scenery, diverse forest landscapes, fresh and pleasant natural environment, simple yet profound cultural customs, and stirring revolutionary heritage come together like a grand, colorful scroll, refreshing the mind and lifting the spirit. Located along the Yan’an circular tourist route from Hukou to Nanniwan to Yan’an to Huangling, Nanniwan is one of the most valuable tourist destinations in Shaanxi Province and an ideal spot for modern urbanites to vacation, relax, and cultivate their sentiments.

The Nanniwan Revolutionary Site complex includes Mao Zedong’s former residence during his inspection of Nanniwan, the former site of the 359th Brigade headquarters, the Monument to Martyrs of the 718th Regiment, the Monument to Martyrs of the 719th Regiment, the former Cadre Rest Home of the Central Administration Bureau, the former site of the Nanniwan Reclamation District Government, the former site of the Eighth Route Army Artillery School, and the Nanniwan Large-Scale Production Exhibition Hall. It was designated as part of the third batch of key cultural relics protection units in Shaanxi Province in April 1992 and as part of the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units in May 2006.

Mao Zedong’s Former Residence during his Inspection of Nanniwan is located in Yangwan, at the site of the former Nanniwan Reclamation District Government. Established in May 1944, the government was headed by Zhang Zhonghan, commander of the 359th Brigade (later Political Commissar of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps). The residence faces south and consists of five cave dwellings arranged in a courtyard, with wide eaves above the caves. The first cave from the east served as Mao’s office, the second as his bedroom, and the remaining three as residences for Ren Bishi and Peng Dehuai.

The Cadre Rest Home, located in Taobao Valley, was built in 1943 and included guest rooms, a club, and a dance hall. The main building, known as the Red Building, was designed by Zhang Xiehe and constructed by the 359th Brigade and other military units. Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Lin Boqu, and Xie Juezai once stayed here. Xie Juezai composed a poem titled “Cadre Rest Home in Taobao Valley”: “Two or three li into the valley, over a hundred bows of land cleared. Four or five small houses nearby, a Western-style building stands central. Flowers bloom in rich autumn hues, tree shade remains spring-like. Strolling leisurely on soft grass, a gentle breeze brushes my clothes. Resting under the trees at noon, their fragrance warms the air. The sky is high, the moon bright, its light shining through the window onto my quilt. ... Grateful for the army’s efforts, a northern village like Jiangnan. The cool breeze and bright moon feel just like home.”

The Monument to Martyrs of the 719th Regiment stands beside the Jiulongquan Valley road, over two meters tall, and was erected in May 1945. The front of the monument bears Mao Zedong’s inscription: “Love the people, serve them sincerely, devote oneself utterly until death.” The back features an inscription by He Long: “Monument to the Martyrs of the 9th Regiment, 359th Brigade, who sacrificed gloriously in service to the people, for the revolution. Their sacrifice is resolute.” On the left is the “Martyrs’ Roll of Honor,” engraved with the names of 968 martyrs, including Political Commissar Chen Wenbin, Organization Section Chief Chen Youyuan, Battalion Commander Lan Hongqi, and an elegiac address. The monument pavilion features six upturned eaves, with a red star embedded at the angle of each of the six wooden pillars.

The Monument to Martyrs of the 719th Regiment, located in Mafang Village, was erected in 1944 and commemorates 448 martyrs with an elegiac address.

The Eighth Route Army Artillery School, located in Taobao Valley alongside the former Cadre Rest Home, was the first specialized artillery school founded by the Chinese Communist Party. Guo Huaruo and Zhu Rui served as successive presidents, with Qiu Chuancheng as political commissar. The school is the predecessor of the PLA Artillery Command College, which designated Nanniwan as a political education base in 2002.

The Nanniwan Large-Scale Production Exhibition Hall, located in Yangwan, covers an area of approximately 200 square meters. It displays historical documents, photos, labor tools, and some of the achievements from the 359th Brigade’s reclamation efforts, condensing an extraordinary chapter of history from those arduous years and showcasing the immense energy and vitality of the revolutionary spirit. In the square stands a bluestone memorial pillar engraved with Mao Zedong’s handwriting: “Rely on our own efforts to ensure adequate food and clothing.” The surroundings are lush with trees, birdsong, blooming flowers, grazing cattle and sheep, and rolling waves of rice, forming a picturesque scene.

Jiulongquan (Nine-Dragon Spring), located at the source of the Fenhe Valley, is steeped in legend. In ancient times, nine dragons were pressed underground, giving the mountain its name Panlong (Coiled Dragon) Mountain and the water the name Jiulongquan. It once served as the drinking water source for Eighth Route Army officers and is a renowned revolutionary spring and tourist attraction.

Among the 359th Brigade commanders who undertook reclamation in Nanniwan, Wang Zhen was awarded the rank of general in 1955, Wang Enmao, Guo Peng, Yan Fusheng, and Liu Zhuanlian were awarded the rank of lieutenant general, and Li, Chen Wai’ou, Zuo Qi, He Shenggui, Jin Zhongfan, He Weizhong, Tan Wenbang, Yan De, He Qingji, Su Jin, Zeng Di, Su Ao, Luo Zhang, and Xiong Huang were awarded the rank of major general. Liu Faxiu, Yuan Fusheng, Li Datong, Liao Ming, and Li Yuan were promoted to major general in 1961 and 1964, respectively.

“With sacrifice comes great determination; we dare to change the face of heaven and earth. Joyfully we see the rice and beans rippling in endless waves, as heroes emerge from the evening mist.” Nanniwan, a red star in the constellation of Chinese history.