Site of the "February 7th" Strike in Changxindian

Site of the "February 7th" Strike in Changxindian

The site of the "February 7th" Strike in Changxindian is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, a classic red tourism attraction, and a patriotic education base.

The site of the "February 7th" Strike in Changxindian includes the modern architectural remains of the Second Railway Factory, the former site of the Labor Supplementary School, the former site of the Changxindian Workers' Club, the former site of the Workers' Night School, the former site of the Bureau headquarters, the former site of the preparatory class for studying in France in Changxindian, and the Martyrs' Cemetery of the February 7th Incident. In March 2013, it was announced by the State Council as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

(1) Modern Architectural Remains of the Second Railway Factory

The modern architectural remains of the Second Railway Factory are located at No. 1 Yanggongzhuang, Changxindian, Fengtai District, within the Second Railway Factory. On February 7, 1923, the sensational "February 7th" Strike took place here. Some factory buildings and office structures still remain. The factory buildings are typical examples of modern industrial architecture.

(2) Former Site of the Labor Supplementary School

The former site of the Labor Supplementary School is located at No. 1 Citangkou, Changxindian, Fengtai District. It was organized under the direct leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and served as one of the birthplaces of the Beijing-Hankou Railway workers' movement, as well as the starting point of the workers' movement in northern China. This site is a small traditional three-courtyard compound facing south, including three main rooms (east rooms), and three wing rooms on both the north and south sides. In 1920, after the establishment of the Beijing Communist Group, in order to advance the workers' movement, Zhang Guotao, Deng Zhongxia, Zhang Tailei, Yang Renqi, and others came here to establish the Labor Supplementary School, helping workers learn culture and revolutionary principles. The school opened in January 1921. On May 1 of the same year, the Chinese Communist Party established the Changxindian Beijing-Hankou Railway Union here and carried out activities, developed party organizations, and led the union in struggles. In October of the same year, the union moved to Liutiepu.

(3) Former Site of the Changxindian Workers' Club

The former site of the Changxindian Workers' Club is located at No. 174 Changxindian Street, Fengtai District. It is a small quadrangle courtyard that includes one main gate, two wing rooms on each side, five main rooms (east rooms), and three wing rooms each on the south and north sides. It was formerly called Liutiepu because a blacksmith shop run by a master surnamed Liu used to occupy the front courtyard.

In October 1921, the Beijing-Hankou Railway Union of Changxindian moved here from Citangkou and was renamed the Changxindian Workers' Club. On April 9, 1922, the first preparatory meeting of the Beijing-Hankou Railway General Union was held here. The Chinese Communist Party organized teams such as a patrol squad, investigation unit, and lecture group here, leading workers in their struggles and directing the "August Revolution" of 1922 and the "February 7th" Strike of 1923. After the failure of the "February 7th" Strike, this site was shut down by the warlord government and later became residential housing.

(4) Former Site of the Workers' Night School

The former site of the Workers' Night School was originally the Niangniang Palace, located at No. 145 Changxindian Street, within the campus of Changxindian No. 1 Primary School.

This site was originally an ancient temple built during the Qing Dynasty, facing east. It once had a grand gateway facing the street and a spacious courtyard inside. The west side featured a grand and imposing main hall with a raised platform in front. There were three wing rooms each on the north and south sides. Taoist priests used to live here in earlier years, and the temple was quite popular. An annual temple fair was held in April, attracting many visitors who came to pray for children. Only the five northern wing rooms remain today.

After the May Fourth Movement in 1919, students from the preparatory class for studying in France and progressive workers from the Second Railway Factory jointly started a night school here. Comrade Deng Zhongxia’s Mass Education Lecture Group from Peking University often gave speeches here. In the evenings, after work, progressive workers from the Second Railway Factory would come to listen to lectures given by the preparatory class students.

In December 1919, people from all walks of life in Changxindian held a "Meeting Condemning Japanese Troops for Killing Chinese in Fuzhou" here. On May 1, 1921, workers in Changxindian held activities to commemorate International Workers' Day here and announced the establishment of a union. Both the "August Strike" of 1922 and the "February 7th" Strike of 1923 held their initial meetings here.

(5) Former Site of the Bureau Headquarters

The former site of the Bureau headquarters was originally the Huoshen Temple, located at No. 196 Changxindian Street, within the compound of the Changxindian Police Station.

This site was originally an ancient temple built during the Ming Dynasty, facing west. The entire temple complex has been well preserved, with three existing gate rooms and three main hall rooms. The plaque above the gate is inscribed with the carved stone words “Imperially Commissioned Yanzuo Shangqing Palace,” featuring a design of two dragons playing with a pearl. The Hall of Heavenly Kings (i.e., the main hall) consists of three rooms and features architectural styles from the late Ming and early Qing periods. During the "February 7th" Strike, this place served as the Bureau headquarters where the authorities suppressed the strike movement. The Changxindian "February 7th" Massacre occurred here.

(6) Former Site of the Preparatory Class for Studying in France in Changxindian

The former site of the Preparatory Class for Studying in France in Changxindian is located at No. 18 Deshanli, Changxindian, within the campus of Changxindian Railway Middle School. It is a modern building.

This site is a small square-shaped two-story French-style building. It neighbors the Second Railway Factory to the west, residential houses to the east, a communication equipment factory to the south, and teaching buildings to the north. The location was ideal for the preparatory class — situated close to the railway for convenient transportation, adjacent to the Second Railway Factory for learning labor skills, and positioned to spread revolutionary ideas within the over 3,000-worker-strong factory.

In the Republican era, this two-story building was part of the Shen family garden. Later, Guo Changtai, the general manager of Beijing Railway Station, built residential housing here. Eventually, the Franco-Chinese Educational Association and the factory negotiated with Guo Changtai and purchased the residence to serve as classrooms for the preparatory class. In 1918, a study program for studying in France was held here. At the time, Comrade Mao Zedong, one of the leaders of the Hunan movement for studying in France, was concerned about the students’ studies, lives, and work. He visited several times and conducted research among workers, spreading the seeds of revolution.

This French-style building has two floors. The first floor has six rooms, each approximately ten square meters in size, while the second floor also has six rooms. The original flooring and doors/windows remain unchanged, though many historical photos have been added to the walls. The rooms have now been arranged as a patriotic education exhibition hall.

(7) Martyrs' Cemetery of the February 7th Incident

The Martyrs' Cemetery of the February 7th Incident is located at No. 1 Jiayinanli, South Qiaoxi Garden, Changxindian Town, within Changxindian Park. It was built in July 1966.

The cemetery houses the remains of two martyrs: Wu Zhen, leader of the workers' investigation team, and Ge Shugui, leader of the workers' patrol squad, who were killed by the authorities during the "February 7th" Massacre. The Changxindian Railway Factory was one of the birthplaces of the workers' movement in northern China. On February 4, 1923, workers of the Beijing-Hankou Railway launched a massive general strike to fight for freedom of association and organization under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. To force the workers back to work, warlord Wu Peifu, with the support of imperialist powers, brutally suppressed the workers, resulting in the shocking "February 7th" Massacre. To commemorate the martyrs’ fearless spirit and revolutionary sacrifice, and to carry forward the glorious traditions of struggle, the Changxindian Second Railway Rolling Stock Factory built a memorial and tombstone for martyrs Ge Shugui and Wu Zhen in Changxindian Park in July 1966.

The martyrs' cemetery is constructed of brick, stone, and cement. Two parallel tombstones are inscribed with the words “Tomb of February 7th Martyr Ge Shugui” and “Tomb of February 7th Martyr Wu Zhen,” respectively.

In May 2013, the site of the "February 7th" Strike in Changxindian was listed as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

(Source: Publicity Department of Fengtai District Committee)

Changxindian Town: Changxindian is a historic ancient town that has long been a gathering place for merchants and travelers in the inland of the North China Plain, located at the western foothills of the Taihang Mountains and west of the Yongding River. Covering an area of 3 square kilometers, it includes 49 streets and alleys such as Fulu Hutong, Tap Water Hutong, Changxindian Street, Dasi Kou, and Citing Kou. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was called Zepan Dian; during the Ming Dynasty, it developed into two villages: Changdian and Xindian. In the Qing Dynasty, Changdian and Xindian merged and were called Changxindian, later evolving into its current name. Locally, it is commonly referred to as "Xindian." After the establishment of Changxindian Town, it was under the jurisdiction of Wanping County in Shuntian Prefecture. In the early years of the Republic of China, it was reassigned to Wanping County under the Beijing Administration. In 1928, Beijing... Detailed information about Changxindian Town++

Further reading:

·Second Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Beijing

·Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Heritage Protection Units