Slipping through time, imagine yourselves in 1949. Shanghai, a city teeming with 5 million souls, is on the brink. The Kuomintang forces are entrenched, the People’s Liberation Army is at the gates. This, my friends, is where the story of Shiyanlou, or the Shanghai General Post Office Building, takes a dramatic turn. Shiyanlou, a magnificent structure on the northern bank of Suzhou Creek, became a pivotal point in the fight for Shanghai’s liberation. Now, picture this: a city under siege, yet life continues. Water flows, lights flicker, and gas stoves burn. Shanghai, even amidst the chaos, refuses to surrender its rhythm. The PLA, committed to minimizing civilian disruption, launched their offensive with a unique directive: avoid heavy artillery in downtown areas. Shiyanlou, occupied by Kuomintang soldiers, became a strategic target. Imagine the tension, the bravery of PLA soldiers crossing the Sichuan Road Bridge under enemy fire, all while trying to preserve the very city they were fighting to liberate. Inside Shiyanlou, hundreds of postal workers, guided by Communist Party members, played a crucial role, facilitating the surrender of the Kuomintang troops within. Shiyanlou, a silent witness to this extraordinary chapter in Shanghai’s history, stands as a testament to the PLA’s commitment. One tiny bullet hole, a mere centimeter wide, lodged in a third-floor window, is the sole battle scar on the entire 51-meter-high building. Shiyanlou’s survival is a symbol of the city’s resilience and the PLA’s meticulous approach. The liberation of Shiyanlou and Shanghai was not just a military victory; it was a triumph of strategy, restraint, and a deep respect for the city and its people. Shiyanlou, having witnessed Shanghai’s tumultuous past, now stands tall, watching over the bustling metropolis it helped protect.
Jishan Hill
High above the bustling city Jishan Hill stands proud. Its name echoes through time a testament to the renowned writer