Former Site of the Headquarters of the Nanyuan Barracks

Former Site of the Headquarters of the Nanyuan Barracks

The former site of the headquarters of the Nanyuan Barracks is a protected cultural heritage site of Beijing.

The former site of the headquarters of the Nanyuan Barracks is located within the Nanyuan Airport compound in Fengtai District and is a modern-era structure. In February 1990, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the Beijing Municipal People's Government.

This site was originally the location of the Seven Barracks where troops of the Shenji Camp were stationed during the late Qing Dynasty, also known as the Seven Barracks. In 1913, the Beiyang Government set up the Aviation Administration here at the Seven Barracks and established China’s first aviation school. In 1923, it was renamed the Beijing Nanyuan Aviation School. In October 1922, after Feng Yuxiang was appointed as the Army Inspector, he led his troops to arrive at Nanyuan in Beijing on November 3, converting the Aviation Administration into the “Office of the Army Inspector.” In 1924, Feng Yuxiang commanded the Beijing Coup from here, overthrowing the president Cao Kun who had been elected through bribery, and expelled the deposed emperor Puyi from the Forbidden City. During the July 7th Incident in 1937, this site served as the command center for the 29th Army of the National Revolutionary Army in resisting the Japanese invasion.

The remaining building area is 3,912 square meters. The main entrance faces south, with guardhouses on either side. The first row of barracks directly inside the entrance covers an area of 724 square meters and features Sino-Western hybrid architecture with Gothic Revival elements. The second, third, fourth, and fifth rows of barracks have been restored in the style of Qing Dynasty garden architecture with Suzhou-style painted decorations and are currently used as office spaces. (Source: Publicity Department of Fengtai District Committee)

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Heritage Sites in Beijing