Kedu Memorial Hall of Red Armys’ Long March in Xundian County, Kunming
Overview
The Kedu Memorial Hall of the Red Army’s Long March is located in Dan Gui Village (丹桂村), Kedu Town (柯渡镇), Xundian County (寻甸县), Kunming City (昆明市), Yunnan Province (云南省), at No. 195 Dan Gui Village. It covers an area of 3,237.9 square meters, with a building area of 3,000 square meters and an exhibition space of 2,200 square meters. The total exhibition area is 3,000 square meters, making it a historical memorial hall focused on social sciences.
The memorial hall was established in 1977 and officially opened to the public. By the end of 2019, the museum housed 137 items/sets of exhibits. In 1983, it was designated as a Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit of Yunnan Province by the provincial government. In 1992, the memorial was identified as a China Modern History and National Education Base in Kunming. In 1997, it was named a Yunnan Province Patriotism Education Base by the Yunnan Provincial Government.
Key Information
- Name: Kedu Memorial Hall of the Red Army’s Long March (寻甸县红军长征柯渡纪念馆)
- Location: No. 195, Dan Gui Village (丹桂村195号), Kedu Town (柯渡镇), Xundian County (寻甸县), Kunming City, Yunnan Province (云南省昆明市)
- Area: 3,237.9 square meters
- Type: Historical Memorial Hall (focused on social sciences)
- Opening Year: 1977
- Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (open year-round)
- Admission: Free
- Collection Size: 137 items/sets (as of the end of 2019)
- Featured Artifact: An octagonal clock used by the Red Army.
Historical Background
The Kedu Memorial Hall of the Red Army’s Long March consists of two key locations:
- The Former Headquarters of the Central Red Army (中央红军总部驻地旧址): Originally the residence of He Ben’en (何本恩), a quadrangle courtyard in Dan Gui Village. On April 30, 1935, the headquarters of the Central Red Army moved into this site. That evening, the General Staff of the Revolutionary Military Commission formulated specific plans for crossing the Jinsha River (金沙江) in the courtyard’s combat room on the first floor.
- The Former Residence of Central Leaders (中央领导人路居旧址): This location was originally the private residence of Yang Jia Lang (杨家郎) in Dan Gui Village. On April 30, 1935, the Politburo Standing Committee of the Central Red Army stayed here.
In April 1936, the Second and Sixth Army Corps of the Red Army, led by He Long (贺龙), Ren Bishi (任弼时), and Xiao Ke (肖克), once again stationed in Xundian County. They engaged in the famous Battle of Liujia (六甲之战) and successfully crossed the Jinsha River, thwarting the Yunnan army’s attempts to annihilate the Red Army.
Dan Gui Village is predominantly inhabited by the Hui ethnic group and also houses a mosque.
The Former Residence of Mao Zedong (毛主席路居旧址)
The former residence of Mao Zedong (毛主席) was originally the Cantonese-style attic of Yang Jia Lang’s private residence. In 1952, after the land reforms, the quadrangle courtyard of the He Bensi (何本思) family was divided among seven farming families.
In August 1966, the former residence was taken over by the Kedu Town Government. In 1974, the state purchased the site, and it became part of the memorial hall’s management. By 2007, Mao Zedong’s former residence was officially handed over to the Kedu Memorial Hall of the Red Army’s Long March for preservation and display.
Architectural Layout
The memorial hall covers 3,237.9 square meters, with 3,000 square meters of building space and 2,200 square meters dedicated to exhibition halls. The Former Headquarters of the Central Red Army and the Former Residence of Central Leaders are classic examples of Late Qing Dynasty wooden structures. The study room in the former residence of central leaders is designed in a Cantonese style with a high loft, while the remaining areas follow the traditional Yunnan residential style known as the “One Stamp Seal (一颗印).”
Exhibitions
Main Exhibitions
The Kedu Memorial Hall of the Red Army’s Long March features both restored and supplementary exhibitions. The Former Headquarters of the Central Red Army and the Former Residence of Central Leaders have been meticulously restored to their original state during the Red Army’s occupation.
Collection of Artifacts
The artifacts in the memorial hall come from donations and acquisitions, and they include items made of wood, paper, bamboo, and metal. By the end of 2019, the museum had collected 137 items/sets of artifacts.
Important Artifacts
One of the most significant artifacts in the museum is the Octagonal Music Clock used by the Red Army.
Cultural Activities
Educational Programs
The museum has compiled invaluable historical materials, including the book “Memoirs of the Old Red Army’s Long March through Kedu (老红军回忆长征过柯渡)” and the DVD “Red Footprints: The Red Army’s Long March through Xundian (红色足迹).”
Collaboration and Exchange
The memorial hall has participated in the First Friendship Association of Mao Zedong Memorial Halls and attended the National Red Tourism Office’s Tour Guide Training sessions twice.
Honors and Recognition
- 1983: Designated as a Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit of Yunnan Province.
- 1992: Identified as a China Modern History and National Education Base in the Kunming region.
- 1997: Named a Patriotism Education Base by the Yunnan Provincial Government.
- 2005: Listed as one of the Top 100 Classic Red Tourism Sites in China by the national government.
Institutional Structure
Directors
The previous directors of the Kedu Memorial Hall include:
- Zhang Benkuan (张本宽)
- Bi Fachang (毕发昌)
- Cui Jinshun (崔金顺)
- Zhang Yongjie (张永杰)
- Ma Chengyun (马成云)
- Ma Dongchun (马东纯)
- Ma Zikun (马子昆)
Organizational Nature
The Kedu Memorial Hall is a state-owned cultural institution.
Funding
The funding for the memorial hall comes from government allocations.
Staff
The museum currently employs 5 staff members, including 4 full-time staff and 1 contract worker.
Visitor Information
Location
The memorial hall is located at No. 195, Dan Gui Village (丹桂村195号), Kedu Town (柯渡镇), Xundian County (寻甸县), Kunming City, Yunnan Province.
Opening Hours
The museum is open year-round from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Admission
Entrance to the museum is free.
Transportation
To reach the memorial hall, you can travel from Kunming City via the Kunming-Mohan Expressway, passing through Longquan Road (龙泉路), Shuituan Section (水团段), and Dayan Section (大岩段), to finally arrive at the Kedu Memorial Hall in Xundian County.
