Former Residence of Wang Zuoyao

Former Residence of Wang Zuoyao

The former residence of Wang Zuoyao is located in Ximen Alley, Houjie Village, Houjie Town. GPS coordinates: 22°56'30.9"N, 113°39'11.3"E, elevation 26 meters.

The site is a courtyard building from the Qing Dynasty, known as Xiaowu Garden. It originally had 20 rooms, covering an area of over 3,000 square meters within the walls, with orchards spread across the area outside. Xiaowu Garden is shaded by green trees and enjoys a tranquil environment. This was the home of Wang Zuoyao, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Dongjiang Column of the Guangdong People’s Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Force, and also the home of Wang Qiguang, Secretary of the Dongguan Special Branch of the Chinese Communist Party during the Agrarian Revolutionary War. During the war, Xiaowu Garden became an important secret base of operations for the Dongjiang Column, with its news radio station and mimeograph room once located there.

Due to years of neglect, the garden had nearly fallen into disrepair after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. In 1971, Houjie Village built an elementary school on the site, demolishing the remaining structures of Xiaowu Garden and using the open space for classrooms. In 1983, the families of Wang Zuoyao and his cousin Wang Qiguang jointly donated the land to Houjie Village to support the expansion of the elementary school. Wang Zuoyao personally inscribed the new school name “Houjie Qianjin School.” In 1989, Houjie Village built a pavilion on the original site of Xiaowu Garden, which Wang Zuoyao named “Xiaowu Pavilion.” In December 2005, the People’s Government of Houjie Town erected a stone stele next to Xiaowu Pavilion, engraved with the inscription “A Brief History of the Revolutionary Past of Xiaowu Garden.”

Wang Zuoyao (1913–1990), originally named Boyao, was a native of Houjie, Dongguan, Guangdong. In 1926, he moved to Guangzhou with his father. In early 1931, he enrolled at the Guangdong Military and Political School (Yantang Military Academy). In October 1935, he joined the Chinese Youth League. In September 1936, he joined the Chinese Communist Party. In October 1938, after the Japanese landed in Daya Bay, he established the Dongguan Anti-Japanese Model Militia Unit and served as its captain. He later united with anti-Japanese forces active in the Bao’an area, such as those led by Zhang Guangye, and reorganized them into the Dongbao-Hui Border People’s Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Unit, serving as its commander.

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Houjie Town: Established during the middle period of Emperor Huizong’s Xuanhe reign in the Northern Song Dynasty (1119–1125 AD), Houjie Town has a history of over 800 years. Legend has it that Wang Tai from Putian, Fujian, settled here during his official travels and named the place “Houjie” (Rear Street) because it was located behind the “Junpu” (military dependents’ market). Over the dynasties, the population grew, industries flourished, and many talents emerged. Due to its honest and kind-hearted people, as well as affluent living conditions, it came to be known as “Houjie” (Thick or Prosperous Street). Since ancient times, Houjie has enjoyed prosperous commerce and abundant local produce, with specialties such as Dongguan sedge, sausages, and rice noodles being famous both in China and abroad.

Comprehensive Strength: Located on the eastern shore of the Pearl River Delta and within the Guangzhou–Hong Kong economic corridor... More details about Houjie Town ++