The Former Residence of Wen Yiduo in Kunming
Overview of Wen Yiduo (闻一多)
Wen Yiduo (闻一多) was a renowned Chinese poet, scholar, and intellectual, born on November 24, 1899, in present-day Xishui County, Huanggang, Hubei Province. His birth name was Wén Jiāhuá (闻家驊). He is best remembered for his contributions to modern Chinese poetry and his outspoken political activism.
Wen studied traditional Chinese education before continuing his studies at Tsinghua University. He then traveled to the United States in 1922 to study at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he published his first poetry collection, Hongzhu (红烛, “Red Candle”). He returned to China in 1925, took up a university teaching position, and published his second collection, Sishui (死水, “Dead Water”), in 1928. In the same year, he joined the Crescent Moon Society and began to engage in literary criticism, as well as research on classical Chinese literature.
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Wen, like many intellectuals, moved to Kunming, Yunnan, where he continued to teach at the wartime National Southwestern Associated University. His activism in politics grew, and in 1944, he joined the China Democratic League. Wen’s outspoken nature led to his tragic assassination by the Kuomintang in 1946 after delivering a eulogy at the funeral of his friend Li Gongpu.
Today, there are monuments and memorials dedicated to Wen, including a large statue and a portrait wall in the Yunnan Normal University campus and a memorial at his former residence in the Green Lake area of Kunming.
The Former Residence of Wen Yiduo
Wen Yiduo’s former residence昆明闻一多故居 is located on the west shore of Green Lake (翠湖) in Kunming, within what is now Green Lake Park. Originally, the house was a Hanbaiyu (white marble), pavilion-style building covering about 400 square meters and occupying approximately 12 acres. Wen Yiduo lived here from 1938 until his death in 1939, where he engaged in literary activities and academic pursuits.
After Wen’s death, the residence was converted into a memorial hall called the “Wen Yiduo Memorial Hall” by the Green Lake Park Management Committee. However, due to years of neglect and disrepair, the pavilion-style building collapsed, leaving only a three-story house, which now stands as Wen’s former residence.
Today, the former residence site remains a memorial to Wen’s legacy, with visitors able to explore the area where he once lived and worked.
Surrounding Environment
The former residence is surrounded by lush bamboo groves and a verdant green lawn. In the middle of the lawn stands a white marble hexagonal pavilion, which was the place where Wen Yiduo conducted his work, read, wrote, and received guests. On the stone walls surrounding the pavilion, there are couplets that celebrate the beauty and serenity of the former residence:
- 翠湖垂柳拂堤清浅如烟
(The willows of Green Lake brush the embankment, like smoke drifting gently) - 闻一多故居苍然如旧
(Wen Yiduo’s former residence remains timeless and tranquil) - 翠湖流泉飞瀑绕楼台
(The flowing springs and cascading waterfalls of Green Lake encircle the pavilion) - 闻一多故居古木森森尽显幽雅
(The ancient trees surrounding Wen Yiduo’s home highlight its graceful charm)
Wen Yiduo’s Early Education and Career
In 1918, Wen Yiduo was accepted into the preparatory class at Peking University. In 1920, he moved to Tsinghua University and later entered the preparatory class for studying in the United States. By 1921, Wen was studying Physics and Chemistry at Cornell University in the United States. In 1924, he received a full scholarship to continue his studies abroad, completing his education in the arts and literature.
Legacy and Memorials
Today, there are memorials to Wen Yiduo throughout Kunming. Besides the Wen Yiduo Memorial Hall at his former residence, there is a monument and large statue dedicated to his memory at the Yunnan Normal University campus. Wen and his wife, Gao Zhen, are buried at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing, where his legacy as a scholar, poet, and political figure continues to be honored.
The Former Residence of Wen Yiduo is a significant historical and cultural site in Kunming, reflecting the life and legacy of one of China’s most influential poets and intellectuals. It serves as a reminder of his contributions to Chinese literature and his tragic end due to his political stance. The residence is a beautiful, serene place for visitors to appreciate the life and times of Wen Yiduo, set against the tranquil backdrop of Green Lake Park.
