The Former Site of the National Southwest Associated University in Kunming

Chinese Name: 昆明西南联大旧址

English Name: The Former Site of the National Southwest Associated University in Kunming

Recommend Visit: 2-3 hours

Overview

Southwest Associated University was founded collaboratively by Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University. The three universities initially relocated to Hunan, establishing the Changsha Temporary University, and began classes on November 17, 1937. This date has since been designated as the university’s anniversary. Due to the advancing Japanese army making Changsha unsafe, the three universities moved to Kunming, Yunnan. The original site is now located on the 121st campus of Yunnan Normal University.

On May 25, 2006, the old site of Southwest Associated University was officially designated by the State Council as a national key cultural heritage protection unit in the sixth batch of such units. On January 20, 2020, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the historic site of Southwest Associated University, which is situated within the campus of Yunnan Normal University, for an inspection.

Geographical Location

Location and Monument

The old site of the National Southwest Associated University is situated on North Gate Street in the historic district of Kunming, Yunnan Province. Here stands the “Monument to the National Southwest Associated University,” which features an inscription in seal script by Wen Yiduo.

This inscription, penned by Feng Youlan, recounts the extensive Japanese imperialist invasion that began with the Jiawu War (1894) and escalated following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident on July 7, 1937.

Establishment and Return

Faced with the escalating conflict, Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University relocated south to Kunming and collectively established the National Southwest Associated University.

The university set up faculties in various fields, including science, engineering, literature, law, business, and teacher training. Following the end of the war, the university returned to its original location on May 4, 1946.

Establishment Reasons

Founding Institutions and Relocation

Southwest Associated University was established through the collaboration of Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Tianjin Nankai University. Initially, these institutions relocated to Hunan to form the Changsha Temporary University, where they began classes on November 17, 1937.

This date was later designated as the university’s anniversary. As the Japanese army advanced dangerously, the three universities moved again to Kunming, Yunnan.

Commemorative Inscription

On the east wall near the main entrance of Yunnan Normal University, there are two lines of golden characters: “Historic Institution in China—The Old Site of the National Southwest Associated University,” inscribed by Zhu Guangya.

Zhu Guangya, a recipient of China’s Merit Medal for Nuclear Weapons, an academician of the two academies, and the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, contributed this inscription.

Relocation During the Anti-Japanese War

Following the “July 7 Incident” in 1937, Japanese imperialism launched a full-scale invasion of China. To safeguard Chinese education from Japanese destruction, the Nationalist Government decided to relocate many higher education institutions from North China and coastal cities inland.

During the eight years of the Anti-Japanese War, over ten higher education institutions, including Zhongfa University, Sun Yat-sen University, Huazhong University, Tongji University, and Shanghai Medical College, moved to Yunnan, with Southwest Associated University being the most renowned.

Historical Development

Journey to Kunming

The students and faculty of Southwest Associated University took two main routes to reach Kunming. One group traveled by train via the Jingguang Railway to Guangzhou, then transferred to Hong Kong, continued by boat to Haiphong, Vietnam, and finally took the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway to Kunming. The other route, often referred to as the “Long March in Chinese educational history,” involved traveling entirely on foot.

This group began in western Hunan, traversed through Guizhou, and reached Kunming. More than 210 male students, who had passed physical examinations, formed this travel group from Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan, accompanied by 11 teachers. They set off on February 20, 1938, enduring harsh conditions such as living in the open air, trekking over mountains and streams, and experiencing physical and emotional trials. They also learned about local customs and witnessed the suffering of various ethnic groups. Hu Shi, who was initially intended to serve as the dean of the College of Arts at Southwest Associated University and later appointed as the ambassador to the United States, remarked, “The relocation to Kunming was one of the most heroic actions that touched my heart.

The journey lasted 68 days, covering more than 3,000 miles. Later, I enlarged these photos and spread them across America; this glorious history deserves to be remembered not just by the university but also in the history of world education!”

Operations in Kunming

After relocating from the Changsha Temporary University, the institution was renamed National Southwest Associated University. Classes resumed on May 4, 1938, and continued until May 4, 1946. The university operated in Kunming for eight years, comprising five colleges—Literature, Law and Business, Sciences, Engineering, and Teacher Training—and 26 departments. It also offered two specialized courses in telecommunications and teacher training, along with a general course for in-service teachers and a preparatory course. During its tenure in Kunming,

Southwest Associated University was one of the largest higher education institutions in the country. It established two branches: one in Mengzi and another in Xuyong (Yibin). To avoid potential issues from the Japanese occupation of Vietnam, the Xuyong branch was set up in the summer of 1940. All new and preparatory students of that year attended classes there, but the branch was dissolved in the fall of 1941 as the war situation stabilized, and students returned to Kunming.

Administration and Facilities

The university’s administration mirrored that of the Changsha Temporary University, with the presidents of Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University—Jiang Menglin, Mei Yiqi, and Zhang Boling—forming the executive committee, taking turns as chair. Due to other commitments of Jiang and Zhang, Mei Yiqi effectively managed the university during this period.

Established amid wartime conditions, Southwest Associated University faced numerous challenges. Initially, all campus facilities were rented from various locations in Kunming. The College of Science was located at Kunhua Agricultural School outside Daximen, and the College of Engineering was set up in three guild halls on Tuodong Road.

The Colleges of Literature and Law temporarily rented buildings from the former customs house, French Bank, and Hellenic shipping company in Mengzi. After one semester, these colleges moved back to Kunming, borrowing facilities from Kunhua Engineering School and Kunhua Normal School. The newly established College of Teacher Training used the north and south wings of Kunhua Middle School.

The university soon acquired 124 acres of wasteland near Jitai Temple in northwest Kunming (now the site of Yunnan Normal University) to build its own campus. By early summer 1939, the new campus was completed, and the Colleges of Literature, Law, and Science moved in, while the Colleges of Engineering and Teacher Training remained in temporary arrangements.

Due to wartime shortages, the new buildings were single-story structures, with student dormitories featuring earthen walls and thatched roofs, and classrooms and offices with tin roofs. By April 1944, due to severe funding deficits, the tin roofs were replaced with thatch to sell the tin for educational expenses.

Post-War Transition

After the victory in the Anti-Japanese War in 1946, Southwest Associated University was dissolved. As a gesture of gratitude to the local communities in Yunnan for their support, the Ministry of Education approved the establishment of the National Southwest Associated University Teacher Training College to remain in Kunming as an independent institution.

This college was later renamed Kunming Normal College and eventually became Yunnan Normal University in the 1980s. On the east wall near the main entrance of Yunnan Normal University, there are two lines of golden characters: “Historic Institution in China—The Old Site of the National Southwest Associated University,” inscribed by Zhu Guangya.

Return of the Three Schools

Dissolution and New Beginnings

Following the victory in the Anti-Japanese War in 1946, Southwest Associated University was dissolved. In recognition of the support provided by the local communities in Yunnan, the Ministry of Education established the National Southwest Associated University Teacher Training College in Kunming as an independent institution. This institution was later renamed Kunming Normal College and eventually became Yunnan Normal University in the 1980s.

The Monument

A notable feature on the campus is the “Monument to the National Southwest Associated University,” located in the northeast corner. Erected shortly after the university’s dissolution on May 4, 1946, the monument was inscribed by Feng Youlan, the dean of the College of Arts, with seal script by Professor Wen Yiduo and calligraphy by Luo Yong, head of the Chinese language department. The monument is often referred to as one of the “Three Unique Monuments” of modern history, renowned for its grand structure and vigorous calligraphy, which hold significant historical, artistic, and literary value.

Commemoration and Preservation

This monument has been cherished by Peking University, Tsinghua University, Nankai University, and alumni worldwide for over fifty years. In 1988, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Southwest Associated University, Peking University and the Beijing Alumni Association of Southwest Associated University decided to replicate the monument.

The replica was installed at Shouyuan, Peking University, and was unveiled on May 4, 1989, by Feng Youlan, who was then 94 years old. He emphasized the enduring significance of the university’s spirit, stating, “The rise and fall of Southwest Associated University was indeed a grand event of a generation, difficult to encounter across centuries. Today, the spirit of the university should still be promoted!” On May 25, 2006, the old site of the National Southwest Associated University was officially designated as part of the sixth batch of national key cultural heritage protection units by the State Council.

Main Exhibitions

Location and Significance

The “Monument to the National Southwest Associated University” is situated in the northeast corner of the campus. Erected on May 4, 1946, the monument was established before the return of Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University. It was inscribed by Feng Youlan, the dean of the College of Arts, with the seal script by Professor Wen Yiduo and calligraphy by Luo Yong. Recognized as one of the modern “Three Unique Monuments,” its grand structure, vigorous calligraphy, and elegant writing reflect profound meaning and hold significant historical, artistic, and literary value.

Legacy and Commemoration

The monument serves as a testament to the legacy of Southwest Associated University and has been celebrated by Peking University, Tsinghua University, Nankai University, and alumni worldwide. In 1988, to honor the 50th anniversary of Southwest Associated University, Peking University and the Beijing Alumni Association of Southwest Associated University decided to replicate the monument from Yunnan Normal University. The replica was installed in Shouyuan at Peking University and inaugurated on May 4, 1989. Feng Youlan, who had created the original inscription, unveiled the replica and reflected on the university’s remarkable history, emphasizing its lasting impact. On May 25, 2006, the old site of the National Southwest Associated University was officially recognized by the State Council as part of the sixth batch of national key cultural heritage protection units.