Longshan
Located on the Hunan-Hubei border, Longshan county town was first established in 1792, when the Qing government replaced hereditary rule with appointed officials and set up a county administration here. The county government was seated in what was called Shoushan Town, renamed Min'an Town after the founding of New China. Because Longshan sits at the far edge of Hunan and western Hunan, at the center of the four-province border region of Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, and Guizhou, its military location was highly important. Historically...
This article is compiled from the original travel notes on the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com); it is a record of trips from earlier years. Time-sensitive information such as ticket prices, schedules, and accommodation prices is subject to the latest announcements from scenic areas and transportation authorities; the itinerary ideas and attraction introductions still have reference value.
Longshan County town, located on the border of Hunan and Hubei, was first established in 1792 AD, when the Qing government implemented the policy of replacing native chieftains with government officials and set up a county administration in Longshan. The county government seat was called Shoushan Town, and it was only after the founding of New China that it was renamed Min'an Town. Because Longshan is situated at the very edge of Hunan Province and Xiangxi, and is the center of the four-province border region of Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, and Guizhou, its military geographical position is very important. Historically, fierce battles occurred here many times, such as the great White Lotus Rebellion of 1796, the battle when Taiping Heavenly Kingdom general Shi Dakai passed through Longshan in 1862, and the battle when the Second and Sixth Red Army Corps besieged Longshan City in 1935, among others. These battles all had a certain influence in Chinese history and were recorded in the annals.
Due to Longshan's special geographical environment and the isolation of transportation in the past, armed leaders who wielded guns once sprang up like mushrooms after the Revolution of 1911. The three most famous among them were: Liu Ziliang, a native of Longtou Township in Longshan County; Shi Xingzhou, a native of Neixipeng in Longshan County; and Qu Bojie, a native of Jiatianxi in Longshan County. Among these three, Liu Ziliang organized his band earliest, having a militia defense team of over 30 men and guns from 1915, and by 1925 it had grown to over a thousand men and guns, with his power occupying most of the county's villages. Shi Xingzhou started slightly later than Liu Ziliang; together with his elder brother Shi Xingwu, he began building his band from 1920, and thereafter constantly engaged in open and covert struggles with Liu Ziliang, expanding his territory and influence, and over more than ten years grew his force to over a thousand men as well. In 1934, Shi Xingwu died of illness, and Shi Xingzhou inherited his brother's position, becoming the county security regiment commander. Qu Bojie started even later than these two; he began organizing his band in 1926, and after more than 20 years of ups and downs, alternately cooperating with and opposing Shi Xingzhou, he fought and lost repeatedly under the Kuomintang's suppression campaigns, at one point expanding his force to over 19,000 men, becoming the largest bandit force in Xiangxi. The Kuomintang could not eliminate him, and eventually incorporated his force, appointing him as commander of the Provisional Tenth Division. In June 1949, Qu Bojie died of illness and was given a grand burial by his subordinates. Liu Ziliang served a year in prison during the War of Resistance on suspicion of colluding with bandits, and from 1942 lived in retirement at home. Because he killed too many people in his life, he was called 'the Butcher,' and because he opposed the Red Army and had blood debts, he was arrested and executed in 1950. Shi Xingzhou was arrested by the Kuomintang during the War of Resistance on suspicion of colluding with bandits, imprisoned for 4 years in Leiyang Prison, and only released after being bailed out by Kuomintang elder Qu Sunlou. After returning, Shi Xingzhou continued to carry guns and participate in bandit suppression, thus becoming a mortal enemy of Qu Bojie. After Qu Bojie's death, Shi Xingzhou continued to oppose the People's Liberation Army and vainly attempted to establish an anti-communist base at Bamian Mountain. After being defeated by the PLA, Shi Xingzhou hid in a trench, and only after persuasion by his nephew Shi Wenyu did he reluctantly surrender to the PLA.
After the founding of New China, Longshan County produced many more notable figures. The one Longshan people most enjoy talking about is Yang Zhengwu, who served as the former Secretary of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee. Many people say that Longshan County town's rapid development in recent years is inseparable from his attention and Changsha City's paired assistance and construction support. This view may not be without reason, but beyond that, there are actually many other favorable factors. For example, Longshan County is very rich in resources: the county has nationally renowned economic forest products such as tung oil, camellia oil, raw lacquer, and Chinese chestnuts; 18 kinds of mineral deposits including iron, coal, mercury, lead, barite, quartz sand, and purple clay ceramics; many scenic areas such as Wulong Mountain Grand Canyon, Taiping Mountain, and Luota; industrial production of cigarettes, ceramics, wine-making, edible oil, and craft brocade; and a thriving commercial trade economy. Add to this the county's open policies and geographical environment, which are very favorable for attracting various merchants to invest — all of these are important reasons driving the rapid development of Longshan County town. Today, Longshan County has become a dazzling pearl of Xiangxi. In the four-province border region, this pearl will surely continue to radiate an enviable brilliance!