The Former Residence of NiE in Kunming

The Former Residence of NiE (昆明聂耳故居) is located at 73-74 Yongdao Street, Wuhua District, Kunming, Yunnan Province (云南省昆明市五华区甬道街73、74号). Originally built in the tenth year of the Guangxu era (1884) as a double-eaved shop, it has significant historical importance. In July 1986, the Panlong District People’s Government designated it as the “Former Residence of NiE,” listing it as a cultural relic protection unit. The site was upgraded to a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit in 2003 and underwent restoration in 2010. It became part of Wuhua District in 2004, and in 2011, the Kunming NiE Memorial Museum was established to honor NiE’s legacy.

Architectural Overview

In the 30th year of Guangxu (1905), NiE’s parents moved from Yuxi to Kunming to seek a livelihood, renting this location to open a small medical clinic named “Chengchun Hall” (成春堂). NiE was born here on February 14, 1912.

In 1920, the family could no longer afford the rent and relocated to No. 13, Weiyuan Street Vegetable Market, leaving Yongdao Street behind. In 1943, the Yunnan Provincial Government began constructing “Yunrui Park” on the former site of the Governor-General’s Office of Yunnan-Guizhou, leading to the widening and reconstruction of Yongdao Street. The houses on both sides were demolished and rebuilt 4 to 5 meters back, retaining a two-story timber structure with shops on the ground floor and residences above.

After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, NiE’s brother, Ni Xulun (聂叙伦), and others visited Yongdao Street to find their former residence and confirmed its location at today’s No. 73 and 74. To commemorate this, they hung the original plaque of “Chengchun Hall” at the entrance of No. 73 for a photo opportunity.

In July 1986, the Panlong District People’s Government named it the “Former Residence of NiE,” designating it as a cultural relic protection unit. After being promoted to a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit in 2003 and restored in 2010, the Kunming NiE Memorial Museum was established in 2011. The museum highlights NiE’s life through images and texts, showcasing his achievements in music and the creative process behind the famous “March of the Volunteers” (义勇军进行曲), which he composed for the film “The Sons and Daughters of the Storm” (风云儿女). The exhibition includes copies of his handwritten song manuscripts, including “Little Workers” (小工人) and “Song of Hunger and Cold” (饥寒交迫之歌). Since 2019, the museum has received a total of 650,000 visitors and conducted over 3,000 free lectures. Beginning in 2021, it has collaborated with the Kunming NiE Symphony Orchestra to host small symphonic events in the residence. The Former Residence has also organized over 40 activities, including “Red Landmark Check-in Activities” and “Walking Events.”

Biography of NiE

NiE (聂耳) was born on February 15, 1912, in Yongdao Street, Kunming. He attended the Kunming County Normal School Attached Primary School (now Changchun Primary School) in 1918. From 1923 to 1925, he studied at Qiushi Primary School and later enrolled in the Yunnan Provincial United First Middle School (the predecessor of Kunming No. 2 Middle School). In 1927, he entered the Yunnan Provincial First Normal School (the predecessor of Kunming University). NiE joined the Communist Party of China in 1933.

He composed numerous progressive songs, including “The Newspaper Selling Song” (卖报歌), “Song of the Fisherman’s Light” (渔光曲), “Song of the Dock Workers” (码头工人歌), “The Song of the Girl Under the Iron Hoof” (铁蹄下的歌女), “The Road Song” (大路歌), “Pioneer” (开路先锋), and “Graduation Song” (毕业歌). These works reflect the suffering and resistance of the working class under oppression and the determination of the Chinese people in their struggle against Japanese aggression.

In March 1935, NiE was commissioned to compose the theme song for the film “The Sons and Daughters of the Storm,” writing the famous “March of the Volunteers” (义勇军进行曲) based on lyrics by Tian Han (田汉). Tragically, later that year, he was arranged to go to Japan on his way to study in the Soviet Union but drowned in a river in Fujisawa, Japan, at the young age of 24. Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, “March of the Volunteers” was adopted as the national anthem.