Memorial Hall of the Red Army’s Forced Crossing of the Weihe River during the Long March

Memorial Hall of the Red Army’s Forced Crossing of the Weihe River during the Long March

The Memorial Hall of the Red Army’s Forced Crossing of the Weihe River during the Long March is a classic red tourism destination and a patriotic education base.

Wushan County is under the jurisdiction of Tianshui City, located in the southeastern part of Gansu Province. It lies in a composite zone between the western section of the northern slope of the Qinling Mountains and the southwestern edge of the loess plateau in central Gansu, and is known as the “Nation’s Hometown of Martial Arts.” The memorial hall is divided into three units and four chapters, consisting of the passage of the three main forces of the Central Red Army through Wushan, the establishment of early Party organizations in Wushan, the Wushan Uprising led by the Wushan County Working Committee, and the Dongliang Canal in Wushan. It displays over 100 historical revolutionary photos and more than 100 pieces of cultural relics, covering an exhibition area of more than 200 square meters. Through photos, sand tables, sculptures, electronic videos, and physical exhibits, the exhibition comprehensively and systematically reflects the heroic achievements of the revolutionary martyrs, vividly presenting the revolutionary journey, economic development, and tremendous changes in Wushan from the time the Red Army passed through in 1935 to the early days of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

On September 25, 1935, Mao Zedong and Peng Dehuai led the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment across the Longchuan River from Xinsi Town in Zhang County into Wushan County. Along the way, they passed through Baojiakouzhai, Miaozhuang, Yangping, Wangjiamen, and Fujiamen, and set up camp at Dingjiamen in Yuanyang Town. In the early hours of the 26th, the Red Army passed through Yuanyang Town, repelled enemy forces from Wushan and Zhang County, broke through the Weihe River line, and set up camp on the northern hills in areas such as Feijiashan and Shuijiagou. On the 27th, the Red Army crossed Panlong Mountain and Qijiayan Ridge, passed through Yupan Miaogou and Xiabao Village, and entered Bangluo Town in Tongwei.

On August 23, 1936, the 31st Army of the 2nd Column of the Fourth Red Army arrived in Wushan from Min County via Xinsi Town in Zhang County. The 91st Division of the 31st Army was stationed in Yuanyang and Shandan, the army headquarters was in Jiemengmen Village in Yuanyang, and the divisional headquarters was in Chekutu Courtyard in Shandan Town. Troops were stationed in Shandan, Heidian, Chechuan, Weigou, and Renmen. The Fourth Red Army made establishing political power an important task in the new region, organizing local people to carry out large-scale campaigns against local tyrants and bandits. Local work departments established the Wushan County Soviet Government and two district-level Soviet governments in Shandan and Yuanyang. On October 8, after over 40 days stationed in Wushan, the 91st Division of the 31st Army of the Fourth Red Army was ordered to withdraw from Wushan and continue northward, passing through Feijiashan and crossing Yupan toward Tongwei.

On October 8, 1936, the Second Red Army, led by He Long and Ren Bishi, crossed the watershed of Li County into Wushan, passing through Xiezhuangjia, Shuanglu, Baojiazhuang, Lizigou, Mahuangsi, and Zhongba, and set up camp around Baijiashan in Wenquan. On the 9th, they split into two routes to advance north. The right route exited the valley along the Nie River to Pan’an Town in Gangu, crossed the Weihe River, and advanced north to Lixin, arriving in Tongwei on the 12th. The left route crossed Dongliang Mountain, passed through Wan’er, Guan’er, Shijiazhuang, Jingang Temple, Guojiazhuang, and Wenjiasi, and reached the area near Luomen in Wushan County. They defeated the blocking forces of the Nationalist Party’s security regiment in Xihanping and Shangbaozi, and occupied Luomen Town. During the day, they were harassed and bombed by Nationalist aircraft. For safety, late that night, the left forces of the Second Red Army stretched ropes across the river under the cover of darkness. With the Weihe River swollen from heavy rain, the Red Army managed to cross the river with the help of local residents.

In December 2011, the Memorial Hall of the Red Army’s Forced Crossing of the Weihe River during the Long March was designated as a Gansu Provincial Patriotic Education Base.