Red (Hongse) Manor in Xundian County, Kunming
The Red Manor (红色庄园) is located adjacent to National Highway 213, approximately 10 kilometers from the entrance of the Songdai Expressway (嵩待高速金所道口). This manor was once the site of Yunnan Agricultural University (云南农业大学) in the 1970s, where notable figures such as Premier Wen Jiabao (温家宝) and General Yan Hongyan (阎红颜) once resided. The manor utilizes themes such as “People’s Commune,” “Nostalgia and Roots,” and “Education and Knowledge” to convey the sincerity of the past and the harmony of the present.
Overview
The estate covers an area of 750 acres, featuring:
- Dantong Lake (丹彤湖)
- Moon Lake (月亮湖)
- Rare fruit area
- Bamboo orchard
- Plant observation zone
The manor is fully equipped with facilities that integrate leisure and vacation, conference training, and entertainment and fitness activities. Walking through the picturesque manor, visitors can enjoy the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot and the sounds of birds chirping, creating a harmonious connection between humans and nature. It is a place where one can fully embrace freedom and romance, discovering new meanings in leisurely life while touching the softest depths of their hearts.
Historical Background
The Red Manor is situated in Tianshengqiao (天生桥), Xundian County. Upon entering the gate, visitors are greeted by a clear lake on the right and a pavilion standing amidst it. Walking along the well-maintained paths of the manor, one can observe remnants of past educational facilities, such as:
- Former classroom building
- Office building
- Student auditorium
- Playground
These structures retain red-tiled roofs and stone foundations, with phrases like “Create a First-Class School, Nurture Century Talents” (创一流学校，育世纪英才) and “Diligent, Thoughtful, Truth-Seeking, Innovative” (刻苦、善思、求真、创新) adorning the red brick walls. Despite the expansive 750-acre old site now transformed into the Red Manor, the simple and dilapidated school buildings seem to echo the joyful laughter of students that once filled the air.
Nostalgia Theme Area
The motto “Nurturing Century Talents” (育世纪英才) reflects the educational aspirations of the region. Yunnan Agricultural University was founded in 1938 as the National Yunnan University College of Agriculture. In 1958, it became independent as Kunming Agricultural and Forestry College (昆明农林学院). In 1971, it moved to Xundian County, merging with Yunnan Agricultural Labor University (云南农业劳动大学) to form Yunnan Agricultural University. In 1981, it returned to Heilongtan (黑龙潭), Kunming.
Pavilion in the Lake
Today, the Red Manor serves as a patriotic education base, utilizing themes such as “People’s Commune,” “Nostalgia and Roots,” and “Education and Knowledge” to narrate the sincerity of the past and the harmony of the present. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the stories and legacies of this significant historical site.
