Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall in Kunming
Overview
The Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall (抗战胜利纪念堂) is located at the northern end of Guanghua Street (光华街北), Wuhua District (五华区), Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province (云南省). Completed in 1946 (the 35th year of the Republic of China), the hall originally served as the site for the Governor-General of Yunnan-Guizhou during the Qing Dynasty. It features a palace-style architecture that blends Western and Chinese styles, characterized by its rigorous structure.
The central hall has a layout resembling an aircraft, and it combines with the circular buildings surrounding Yunrui Park (云瑞公园) and the streets on either side, creating the shape of a golden goblet with flowers, symbolizing the joy of victory. The memorial hall is a significant historical monument in Yunnan.
The hall has been designated as a museum and covers approximately 30 acres. It consists of three main components: the main building of the Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall, the People’s Hero Monument (人民英雄纪念碑), and the Exhibition Hall of the History of the Yunnan People’s Revolutionary Struggle (《云南人民革命斗争史展厅》).
Historical Significance
The Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall embodies unique spiritual values, ways of thinking, and imagination of the Chinese nation. It reflects the vitality and creativity of the Chinese people and possesses considerable historical, artistic, and scientific value. The memorial plays an essential role in inheriting and promoting excellent cultural traditions, enhancing national unity and maintaining state integrity, boosting national confidence and cohesion, and fostering the construction of socialist spiritual civilization, making it profoundly significant.
In May 2006, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China announced it as a key cultural relic protection unit.
Historical Development
- In 1945 (the 34th year of the Republic of China), the construction of the Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall began; it was completed in 1946 (the 35th year).
- In December 1950, the first session of the People’s Representative Conference of Yunnan Province decided to rename the “Anti-Japanese Victory Hall” to “People’s Victory Hall” and to build the People’s Hero Monument.
- In 1951, the foundation for the People’s Hero Monument was laid.
- On February 24, 1995, the People’s Hero Monument and the Exhibition Hall of the History of the Yunnan People’s Revolutionary Struggle were completed and opened to the public for free.
- On May 25, 2006, the Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall was approved by the State Council as a national key cultural relic protection unit and was renamed back to “Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall.”
- In March 2019, it was approved by the Yunnan Provincial Government as the Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall Museum.
Architectural Layout
Originally the site of the Governor-General of Yunnan-Guizhou during the Qing Dynasty, the Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall features a unique blend of architectural styles, structured rigorously. The main hall resembles a military aircraft and combines with the surrounding circular buildings to represent the joy of victory.
The primary building has a construction area of approximately 4,600 square meters, accommodating about 950 people in the main hall and 60 in the conference room. The southeast corner includes a reading room named “Victory Reading Room” (胜利书屋), which houses around 1,500 selected books, providing a learning platform for both party members and the general public.
The overall layout is compact and symmetrical, with the building taking the shape of an American fighter aircraft. It utilizes traditional materials such as wood, brick, stone, and specially made large tiles, with white marble railings following traditional Qing styles.
People’s Hero Monument and Exhibition Hall
The People’s Hero Monument and Exhibition Hall covers an area of over 2,000 square meters and can accommodate around 200 visitors at a time. The monument stands approximately 27 meters tall and features a square base. The exhibition hall, located beneath the monument, showcases the history of revolutionary struggles in Yunnan, with relief sculptures depicting the history of the people’s struggles adorning the base’s walls.
Value and Significance
The Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall is a reflection of the unique spiritual values, ways of thinking, and imagination of the Chinese nation. It represents the vitality and creativity of the Chinese people and has high historical, artistic, and scientific appreciation value. It plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting outstanding cultural traditions, enhancing national unity, maintaining national integrity, boosting national confidence, and promoting the construction of socialist spiritual civilization.
Protection Measures
In May 2006, the Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall was listed by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China as a national key cultural relic protection unit.
Honors Received
- In 1997, the hall was designated as a “Patriotic Education Base of Yunnan Province.”
- In 2000, it was recognized as a “National Youth Education Base.”
- In 2005, it received various honors, including being named a “National Defense Education Base of Yunnan Province.”
- In August 2015, it was declared a second batch of national anti-war memorial facilities by the State Council.
- On November 24, 2018, it was included in the third batch of “20th Century Chinese Architectural Heritage Projects.”
Transportation Information
The Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall is located at the northern end of Guanghua Street (光华街北), Wuhua District (五华区), Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province (云南省).
Museum Details
The Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall Museum is located at 49 Yunrui West Road (云瑞西路), Wuhua District (五华区), Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province (云南省).
Walking Directions
From the People’s Government of Wuhua District (五华区人民政府) in Kunming, it is about 470 meters to walk to the Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall, taking approximately 7 minutes.
