The Museum of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University

Museum of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University

The Museum of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University is a classic red tourism destination, as well as a patriotic education base and a national defense education base.

The Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University (commonly known as the Anti-Japanese University or “Kangda”) was established on the eve of the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, shouldering the glorious mission of training a large number of outstanding military and political cadres for China’s revolution. Initially founded in northern Shaanxi, it later relocated behind enemy lines in response to changing circumstances. On November 4, 1940, the main campus of the university moved to the Jiangshui area of Xingtai County, Hebei Province, with its headquarters located in Qian'nanyu Village. During the three years of operation in Qian'nanyu Village, the university trained three classes of students, totaling 18,000 people. Veteran proletarian revolutionaries such as Deng Xiaoping, Liu Bocheng, Luo Ruiqing, Peng Dehuai, Teng Daiyuan, He Changgong, and Zhang Jichun worked and fought here, making indelible contributions to the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, the subsequent Liberation War, and the construction and development of socialist China.

The Museum of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University is China’s first museum dedicated to showcasing the history of the university. It is located in Qian'nanyu Village, Jiangshui Town, Xingtai County, Hebei Province, approximately 60 kilometers from downtown Xingtai. The total planned area spans 5 square kilometers and primarily consists of five sections: the Museum of the Anti-Japanese University, the Monument to the Anti-Japanese University, the former residences of the university, the Forest of Stone Tablets of the Anti-Japanese University, and the reception center. The museum itself is divided into four exhibition halls, covering a display area of 2,680 square meters. It is organized into six thematic sections: the Preface Hall, “Heroes Assemble on the Banks of the Yellow River,” “Turbulent Years Behind Enemy Lines in North China,” “Breaking Through and Returning to Shaanxi, Establishing Schools in the Northeast,” “The Banner of the Anti-Japanese University Spreads Across China,” and “Stars Shine Bright—Carrying Forward the Legacy.” In 1995, the museum was designated as a “Provincial Patriotic Education Base” by the Hebei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and the People’s Government of Hebei Province. In 2001, it was listed as a “National Patriotic Education Demonstration Base” by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. In 2002, it was inscribed with the words “National Defense Education Base” by General [Name]. In 2003, it was recognized as a “Provincial National Defense Education Base” by the Hebei Provincial National Defense Education Office. In 2008, it was listed as a “Provincial Integrity Education Base” by the Hebei Provincial Publicity Department and the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. In 2010, it was named a “Provincial Science Education Base” by the Hebei Provincial Department of Science and Technology. In 2012, it was designated as a “Field Teaching Base” by the PLA National Defense University. It has also been used as an educational practice base by over 50 colleges and universities, including the Communication University of China, Hebei University, and Hebei University of Science and Technology, and as a party member education activity base by military units stationed in Xingtai, government agencies, and social organizations.

On March 22, 2008, in accordance with the joint notice issued by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and three other ministries, the Museum of the Anti-Japanese University officially opened to the public free of charge. This move created excellent opportunities for expanding the museum’s educational outreach and was widely recognized by the general public. The museum now receives an average annual visitor count of over one million. Additionally, the museum collaborates with major media outlets such as China Central Television, China National Radio, and Hebei Television to carry out promotional activities. It also organizes large-scale political education events such as “July 1st Construction Activities” and “Victory Day of the War of Resistance Against Japan,” as well as youth and community-oriented red education programs like “Coming-of-Age Oath Ceremonies for Students” and the “Kangda Cup Red Song Tribute to the Taihang Mountains Mass Singing Competition.” These initiatives play an active role in patriotic and revolutionary tradition education.

Qian'nanyu Village: Source: Hebei Economic Daily

Nestled deep in the Taihang Mountains in Jiangshui Town, Xingtai County, Qian'nanyu Village transformed from a barren land—described as “bare hills like monks’ heads, soil washed away by rain, disasters in wet seasons, and cattle dying of thirst in dry spells”—into the greenest spot in the Taihang Mountains. This remarkable change was achieved through decades of relentless effort under the leadership of Guo Chengzhi, who embodied the spirit of the Foolish Old Man Who Removed the Mountains.

Villagers say that Qian'nanyu owes its current success to a spirit of “foolish perseverance.”

In early July, reporters visited the “Pearl of the Taihang Mountains,” Qian'nanyu, where “verdant mountains stretch as far as the eye can see, birds sing amid the breeze, and the fragrance of fruit wafts through fluttering curtains...” More details about Qian'nanyu Village++