Datong School

Datong School

Datong School is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Datong School is located at No. 563 Shengli West Road, about a hundred meters west of the Ancient Yue Library. Its full name is Datong Normal School. Originally a provincial examination hall, it was converted into a grain depot during the Qing Dynasty. In the late Qing period, it served as the main base of operations for the famous revolutionary group the Restoration Society (Guangfu Hui) in Zhejiang. The school originally had over 50 rooms, consisting of north-facing single-story buildings covering an area of 3,098 square meters, with a built-up area of 1,754 square meters. The overall layout is divided into three sections: the first section is the entrance hall, where the plaque inscribed with “Datong School,” written by Mr. Zhao Puchu, hangs in the center. The second section is the auditorium, which now serves as an exhibition room displaying historical relics of the Restoration Society. The third section was opened to the public in 1982 as the Xu Society, introducing the life and deeds of Xu Xilin. The first room on the west side of the first section on the east side was originally the workspace of Qiu Jin and the place where she was arrested.

The founders of Datong School, including Xu Xilin and Tao Chengzhang, under the pretext of responding to the Qing government’s call to develop education and promote militia training, actively trained and developed key members of the Restoration Society. Later, in order to organize the Anhui-Zhejiang Uprising, Xu Xilin took advantage of his status as a donated provincial governor to take up a post in Anqing, infiltrating the official ranks. Before going to Anhui, Xu Xilin sent Wang Jinfa to Shanghai and also invited Qiu Jin to return to Shaoxing to take charge of Datong School, working together to organize and lead the uprising. In February 1907, Qiu Jin took over as the school supervisor (principal) of Datong School. Using the school as a base, she actively prepared the “Restoration Army” and planned the uprising until her arrest on July 13.

Address: No. 563 Shengli West Road, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing City

Type: Historical Architecture

Recommended Visiting Time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0575-85133368

Opening Hours: 8:30–17:00

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units