Former Site of the Chinese Youth Corps

Former Site of the Chinese Youth Corps

The Former Site of the Chinese Youth Corps is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

On the northeast side of the intersection of Zhongshan East Road and Huangpu Road lies a spacious courtyard covering over 56,000 square meters. According to the *History of Ming*, this site was once the location of the Western Garden of Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang. When Zhu Yuanzhang mobilized 300,000 laborers to construct the Ming Imperial Palace, this area served as a warehouse for storing food and water, also known as the “Western Garden Crystal Terrace.” Today, the crystal terrace is long gone, but through the cast iron fences adorned with carvings, one can see lush green lawns within the courtyard. Three grand, classic Chinese-style palatial buildings stand in a “品”-shape from west to east, all facing south. This complex of buildings was once the headquarters of the Chinese Youth Corps of the Kuomintang during the Republican era.

The Chinese Youth Corps was established around 1929 as an officers' club-like organization, modeled after the military systems of Japan and the United States by Chiang Kai-shek. At the time, it was jokingly referred to as a “尖 (sharp), 卡 (stuck), 斌 (literary and martial)” institution. Why? Because although the Chinese Youth Corps was not an official party or government body of the Kuomintang, it had branches all over the country—making it not too small, hence “尖”; it was merely a logistics service department, yet Chiang Kai-shek himself served as its president, and its members were mostly students of the Central Military Academy—not too high, hence “卡”; its staff wore military uniforms, but it was neither managed by the civil service authorities nor the Ministry of National Defense, making it neither civilian nor military—hence “斌.” From the end of the War of Resistance to before the liberation, the Chinese Youth Corps established branches across the country, many housed in luxurious buildings. In addition to the palatial structures in Nanjing and the branches in Nanchang and Chengdu built before the war, other sites such as the former government building of the puppet state of Manchukuo in Changchun, the Broadway Mansions (now the Shanghai Mansion) in Shanghai, as well as the A and B Buildings on Beijing West Road in Nanjing (now the Huadong Hotel), and the Cui Zhou Guesthouse in Xuanwu Lake (now the Nanjing Calligraphy and Painting Academy), all became premises for the Corps. At its peak, the Corps employed over ten thousand people. Its substantial growth was largely due to the strong backing of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling. Firstly, the Corps functioned as Chiang’s “official residence” and “imperial household service,” handling daily errands, travel arrangements, and banquets for Chiang and Soong. Secondly, it was responsible for courting both Chinese and foreign religious figures, receiving foreign military and political delegations—especially the U.S. military advisory group—as well as organizing cultural activities such as film screenings and performances.

The three Qing-style palatial buildings of the Nanjing Chinese Youth Corps Headquarters were designed between 1929 and 1931 by young architects Yang Tingbao, Fan Wenzhao, and Zhao Shen, who had just returned from overseas studies. The construction funds mainly came from the surplus of donations made by Shanghai citizens to Soong Mei-ling’s fundraising campaign in support of the Central Plains War. From west to east, they are the Grand Auditorium, Building No. 1, and Building No. 3. The Grand Auditorium has three floors and a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof. Inside, it features a fairly modern theater layout that could accommodate 500 people, and was used for social, official, and entertainment events. The Corps often held theatrical performances and cultural activities here. Master performers such as Hou Baolin and Mei Lanfang were once invited to perform on its stage. Building No. 1 has three stories in the center with slightly lower wings. It features red pillars and green tiles with a double-layered roof. At the southeast corner of the building, there is a square white marble stele inscribed with the words: “Chinese Youth Corps, Established in the 18th Year of the Republic of China — Establish Oneself While Establishing Others, Revolutionize Action and Mind — Chiang Kai-shek and the Comrades of the Chinese Youth Corps Encourage Each Other,” which remains well-preserved to this day. Building No. 3 has three stories throughout, with hipped-gable and double-eaved roofs adorned with ridge ornaments of auspicious beasts. The eaves and beams are painted, and there are also fireplace chimneys whose tops are styled like palace roofs—a very ingenious and unique design. Both Building No. 1 and No. 3 have a central corridor layout inside, with guest rooms on either side, each equipped with private bathrooms, specially for hosting distinguished domestic and foreign guests. General Zhang Xueliang stayed here multiple times and also visited the Corps to play tennis or ride horses.

The Chinese Youth Corps building complex is one of the prime examples of the blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles in Nanjing at the time. Beneath the contours of imitation Qing-style palatial roofs lies a reflection of modern, spacious interior spaces. This not only showcases the designers’ mastery of both Eastern and Western architectural traditions and their innovative spirit, but also reflects the era’s admiration for both traditional culture and modern lifestyles. This architectural approach, which organically integrated traditional forms with modern functionality and materials, briefly set a trend in China at the time.

The Chinese Youth Corps was also the site of many significant events and historical moments. For instance, on October 10, 1935, the first group wedding in Nanjing’s history was held in the Grand Auditorium. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance, in September 1941, the puppet Nationalist Government under Wang Jingwei established a military academy base here to train puppet officials, often holding meetings with senior Japanese officials. After the victory in the War of Resistance, one of the most memorable chapters in the Corps’ history occurred on February 15, 1946, when the Nationalist Government set up the Military Tribunal for the Trial of War Criminals in the Grand Auditorium, specifically to prosecute Japanese war criminals who invaded China. According to international practice at the time, Class-A war criminals were tried by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. However, under strong pressure from the Chinese people, war criminals such as Toshio Sakurai and Noda Tsuyoshi—who had conducted killing competitions at the foot of Purple Mountain—and Kesago Nakajima, the mastermind behind atrocities, were extradited to China. They stood trial here, were sentenced to death, and were executed by firing squad in Nanjing, meeting their well-deserved ignominious ends.

After the liberation of Nanjing in 1949, the Chinese Youth Corps site served as the headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army. It was later used as a school, kindergarten, and Sino-Soviet Friendship Center, among other functions. In 1956, it was converted into a guesthouse for the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee and was commonly referred to as the “No. 307 Guesthouse” because it was located at No. 307 Zhongshan East Road. In 1991, it was renamed Zhongshan Hotel. Strolling through the former site of the Chinese Youth Corps, one encounters solemn and majestic Qing-style architecture with red doors and painted beams. Towering ancient pines, misty green lawns, rockeries, and meandering streams create a tranquil scene filled with birdsong and floral fragrance, making it a truly enchanting place. Historical films such as *Storm Over Zhongshan* and *The Battle of Huaihai* were filmed here.

In May 2013, the State Council (State Council Document [2013] No. 13) designated the Former Site of the Chinese Youth Corps as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Scenic Area Address: Zhongshan East Road, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: In Nanjing, take bus routes 52, 190, etc., and get off at Huangpu Road Station; or take bus routes 5, 9, 34, 55, 65, etc., and get off at Ming Palace West Station.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units