Museum of the Red Army’s Long March in Shangri-La, Diqing
The Museum of the Red Army’s Long March (迪庆红军长征博物馆, Dìqīng hóngjūn chángzhēng bówùguǎn) is located at 1 Jīnlóng Street (金龙街, Jīnlóng jiē), Dukezong Ancient Town (独克宗古城, Dúkèzōng gǔchéng), Jian Tang Town (建塘镇, Jiàn táng zhèn), Shangri-La City (香格里拉市, Xiānggélǐlā shì), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州, Dìqīng zàngzú zìzhìzhōu) in Yunnan Province (云南省, Yúnnán shěng). Covering an area of 4,049.34 square meters, with a building area of 3,106.92 square meters and an exhibition area of 2,400 square meters, it serves as a historical museum dedicated to social sciences.
On July 1, 1984, the museum was established as the Red Army Long March Memorial Hall (红军长征纪念馆, Hóngjūn chángzhēng jìniànguǎn) under the administration of the Cultural Bureau of Zhongdian County (中甸县, Zhōngdiàn xiàn). At the end of 2006, after relocating surrounding residents, the Diqing military district handed over a health clinic to the museum. The original exhibits were upgraded, and the museum was renamed the “Museum of the Red Army’s Long March.” It officially opened on August 20, 2007. By the end of 2019, the museum housed 280 items (sets) in its collection.
On June 19, 2021, the museum was designated as a “National Demonstration Base for Patriotic Education” by the Central Propaganda Department (中央宣传部, Zhōngyāng xuānchuán bù).
Historical Background
The Museum of the Red Army’s Long March is located at the “Central Town Public Hall” (中心镇公堂, Zhōngxīn zhèn gōngtáng), a key national cultural relic protection unit.
Construction of the Central Town Public Hall began in the second year of the Yongzheng era (雍正, Yōngzhèng) of the Qing Dynasty (清朝, Qīng cháo) in 1724, although it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. In the eighth year of the Guangxu era (光绪, Guāngxù) in 1882, the hall was repaired. It served as a place for local Tibetan people to conduct ancestral worship, recite scriptures, hold meetings, and manage funerals and weddings.
In 1936, during the Long March, notable leaders such as He Long (贺龙, Hè Lóng), Xiao Ke (肖克, Xiāo Kè), and Ren Bishi (任弼时, Rèn Bìshí) passed through Zhongdian and established their command headquarters here, convening the famous “Zhongdian Conference” (中甸会议, Zhōngdiàn huìyì). During the Cultural Revolution (文化大革命, Wénhuà Dàgémìng), the hall was preserved as a military warehouse.
On July 1, 1984, the Zhongdian County Party Committee and government utilized the main hall for a Red Army relic exhibition, establishing it as the Red Army Long March Memorial Hall under the Cultural Bureau of Zhongdian County.
In 1995, the Zhongdian County Cultural Relics Management Office was established within the hall.
In late 2006, following the relocation of residents around the public hall, the Diqing military district transferred a health clinic to the memorial, enhancing and renovating the original exhibits. The museum was officially renamed the “Museum of the Red Army’s Long March,” and it opened its doors on August 20, 2007.
Venue Layout
Overview
The Museum of the Red Army’s Long March spans a total area of 4,049.34 square meters, with a building area of 3,106.92 square meters and an exhibition area of 2,400 square meters.
Exhibition Hall
The main exhibition of the Red Army Long March Museum is structured into six sections:
- Hall of Introduction
- The Red Army’s Fearless Expedition
- Memories of Snowy Mountains and Grasslands
- Recreation of Climbing Snow Mountains and Crossing Grasslands
- The Red Flag Roll Up the Peasants’ Spear
- New Outlooks of the Snowy Plateau
The exhibition primarily focuses on the Long March of the Red Army’s Second Front Army, comprehensively showcasing the extraordinary achievements of the Red Army’s three main forces overcoming countless difficulties to complete the Long March. The exhibition emphasizes the Long March of the First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies, their journey through the Tibetan region while exemplifying the Party’s policies on nationality and religion, and their efforts in igniting revolutionary fervor among the local Tibetan population.
Notably, the interactive landscape covering 484 square meters recreates the experience of the Red Army climbing snowy mountains and crossing grasslands using modern exhibition techniques involving sound, light, and electricity.
Special Exhibitions
In October 1986, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, the exhibition “The Light of the Thriving Fan Ethnic Group—The Red Army’s Long March through Zhongdian” was held.
On July 1, 1991, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the exhibition “The Battle History of the Party in Zhongdian” was held.
On September 10, 1997, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Diqing Prefecture, the exhibition “Red Flags Flying in the Plateau” was held.
Unique Features
The Museum of the Red Army’s Long March is housed in a building complex oriented north to south, with the public hall at its center. This two-story structure features a traditional wooden three-eave roof with a Han-style exterior and Tibetan Buddhist hall interior layout, covering an area of 706.92 square meters. The exhibition halls surrounding the public hall incorporate local Tibetan cultural elements, using modern construction materials and a brick-concrete structure. The outer walls are a grayish color, decorated with reddish earth tones on the gables, with an exhibition area of 2,400 square meters.
Collection of Artifacts
The museum’s collections are sourced from acquisition, donations, and purchases, comprising items made of paper, cotton, wood, and metal. By the end of 2019, the museum housed a total of 280 items (sets).
Cultural Activities
Academic Research
Staff members of the Museum of the Red Army’s Long March have published over 20 articles in journals such as the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (古脊椎动物学报, Gǔ jǐ zhuī dòngwù xuébào), China Cultural Forum (中华文化论坛, Zhōnghuá wénhuà lùn tán), and China Cultural Relics News (中国文物报, Zhōngguó wénwù bào), totaling over 300,000 words.
Honors
On June 19, 2021, the museum was named a “National Demonstration Base for Patriotic Education” by the Central Propaganda Department.
In February 2023, the museum was recognized as a “Yunnan Provincial Practice Base for Solidifying the Awareness of the Chinese National Community.”
Institutional Structure
Nature of the Institution
The Museum of the Red Army’s Long March is a state-owned public welfare institution.
Funding Source
Funding for the museum is fully allocated from the government budget.
Organizational Structure
The museum includes an office, cultural preservation room, research department, exhibition education department, and security department.
Staffing Composition
The museum has an approved staff size of 9, with 9 permanent employees and 2 temporary workers. Among the staff, there is 1 master’s degree holder, 5 undergraduates, and 3 with associate degrees. The team includes 1 associate research librarian, 4 librarians, and 2 assistant librarians.
Visiting Information
Location
The Museum of the Red Army’s Long March is located at 1 Jīnlóng Street, Dukezong Ancient Town, Jian Tang Town, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province.
Transportation Information
Visitors can take bus routes 1 or 3 to the vicinity of the ancient town and then walk to Moonlight Square (月光广场, Yuèguāng guǎngchǎng) or directly to Dukezong Ancient Town.
Opening Hours
The museum is open year-round from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Admission Information
Entry to the museum is free of charge.
Travel Tips
- Plan Ahead: Check the museum’s website or contact them for any special events or temporary exhibitions.
- Respect the Exhibits: Maintain a respectful demeanor while exploring the artifacts and exhibits.
- Photography: Be mindful of any restrictions regarding photography inside the museum.
- Local Etiquette: Familiarize yourself with local customs to enhance your visiting experience.
- Accessibility: Inquire about facilities if you have specific accessibility needs.
The Museum of the Red Army’s Long March provides a profound insight into an essential part of Chinese history, honoring the sacrifices and triumphs of the Red Army during their Long March.
