“People’s First Fortress.” That’s the honorary title bestowed upon Jiaozhuanghu Village. It was given by the Shunyi County People’s Government in November 1947. We are standing at the Beijing Jiaozhuanghu Tunnel Battle Site Memorial Hall. It stands as a testament to the village’s unwavering spirit during the Anti-Japanese War.
This memorial hall isn’t just a collection of artifacts. It is a portal into a remarkable chapter of Chinese history. It showcases the ingenuity and resilience of ordinary people. They transformed their village into an intricate underground fortress.
Back in 1943, under the leadership of the Party, the old village chief Ma Fu began to lead the villagers to dig tunnels. This village belonged to the Jidong Anti-Japanese Base Area. Jiaozhuanghu was vital. It was the only way to the Pingxi and Pingbei base areas. The villagers dug for three years. They created a tunnel network with Jiaozhuanghu Village at its heart. The tunnel stretched for 23 miles. It was a “four-capable” tunnel. People could walk, hide, fight, and defend.
The Jiaozhuanghu militia used the tunnels’ advantages. They worked with local armed forces. They fought the enemy over 150 times. They inflicted heavy damage and significantly contributed to the fight. They resisted the Japanese fascist invasion. They fought for the liberation of their homeland.
The Beijing Jiaozhuanghu Tunnel Battle Site Memorial Hall was initially established in 1964. It started as the “Jiaozhuanghu Militia Revolutionary Struggle History Exhibition Hall.” It gained its current name in 1979. It was then designated a “Beijing Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.” It officially opened to the public in October 1987.
Today, the memorial hall covers 72.9 acres. It includes the exhibition hall, tunnel, and anti-Japanese residential visiting areas. In the exhibition area, three sections await: “Jidong Anti-Japanese War Flames”, “People’s War Building of Great Merits” and “Today’s Shunyi Is Better.” The tunnel visiting area is an 830-meter restored section. It is based on tunnels dug in 1943. The anti-Japanese residential area recreates wartime life.
The Jiaozhuanghu Tunnel Battle Site Memorial Hall stands as a powerful reminder. It shows the heroic deeds. It displays the patriotism of the Jiaozhuanghu people. It has earned numerous accolades including a National Patriotism Education Demonstration Base. It is a National Red Tourism Scenic Spot. It serves as a Beijing anti-corruption education base. It stands as a symbol of resilience. It embodies the spirit of resistance against oppression.