Zhang Xiaoxiang (1132–1170)

Zhang Xiaoxiang was a celebrated poet and statesman of the Southern Song Dynasty. He earned the prestigious title of Zhuangyuan (Top Scholar) in the imperial examination at the age of only 23. In 1143, he moved to western Wuhu with his father, where his family owned several hundred mu of farmland. In 1161, after being dismissed from office and returning to his hometown for the first time, he transformed the farmland into an artificial lake to alleviate the hardships of local agricultural life. He named the lake Taotang (Tao's Pond) to honor the revered ancient poet Tao Yuanming. Later known as Jinghu Lake, this body of water gradually evolved into a key urban water area in Wuhu, playing an important role in ecological regulation and supporting local economic activities.

Tang Peng

Tang Peng, also known as Tang Tianchi, was a master blacksmith and the legendary founder of Wuhu Iron Painting (Wuhu Tiehua) in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. A native of Lishui, Jiangsu, he practiced blacksmithing in Wuhu and created the unique art of forging heated iron into landscape, bamboo, orchid, and insect paintings. Inspired by the painter Xiao Yuncong, he blended the sturdiness of metal with the grace of traditional ink wash painting. His iron paintings, especially landscape screens, were highly prized.

Xiao Yuncong (1596–1673)

Xiao Yuncong, courtesy name Chimu, was a prominent painter and poet from Wuhu, Anhui, and founder of the Gushu School of Painting in the late Ming and early Qing. He excelled in landscape and figure painting with spare, lucid brushwork and elegant composition. His representative woodblock albums include Li Sao Illustrations and Taiping Landscape Paintings, which deeply influenced Chinese print art. In his later years, he provided artistic guidance to blacksmith Tang Peng, helping refine Wuhu Iron Painting.

Li Kenong (1899–1962)

Li Kenong was a senior leader of the Communist Party of China and a founding general of the People's Liberation Army, known for his work in intelligence and diplomacy. He was born in Wuhu and joined the CPC in 1926. During the 1930s, he made important contributions to protecting CPC leaders by providing critical intelligence. He served as head of the Central Liaison Bureau during the Long March. After 1949, he held key positions including Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the PLA. He led the Chinese delegation at the Korean Armistice Talks (1951–1953) and was awarded the rank of General in 1955.

Wang Jiaxiang (1906–1974)

Wang Jiaxiang was an important Marxist theorist, revolutionary and senior CPC leader. He was born in Jing County, Anhui and received his secondary education at St. James School in Wuhu. He joined the Communist Youth League in 1925, studied at Sun Yat-sen University in Moscow, and became a member of the CPC in 1928. At the Zunyi Conference in 1935, he supported the leadership of Mao Zedong, which was a key turning point in the Party's history. He later served as Director General of the General Political Department of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission. After 1949, he was appointed China's first Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1949–1951) and Minister of the International Liaison Department.

Dai Anlan (1904–1942)

Dai Anlan was a respected Chinese military commander and national hero of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. He was born in Wuwei, Wuhu, graduated from the Whampoa Military Academy, and commanded the 200th Division. He took part in major battles including the Battle of Taierzhuang and the Battle of Kunlun Pass. In 1942, he led his division as part of the Chinese Expeditionary Force in Myanmar. His troops held the city of Toungoo for 12 days against stronger Japanese forces, gaining wide recognition. He was seriously wounded and died in May 1942 at the age of 38. Later that year, he was posthumously awarded the U.S. Legion of Merit, making him the first Chinese soldier to receive this decoration during World War II.

A Ying (1900–1977)

A Ying, originally named Qian Xingcun, was a noted modern Chinese writer, playwright and literary critic from Wuhu, Anhui. He joined the Communist Party of China in 1926 and was a founding member of the League of Left-Wing Writers. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, he wrote patriotic historical plays under different pen names. After 1949, he held senior cultural administration positions and was also a well-known rare book collector.