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

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

The Exhibition Hall of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University, located in Qiannanyu Village, Jiangshui Town, Xindu District, Xingtai City, Hebei Province, is the earliest-established, largest-scale, and most comprehensive thematic exhibition hall dedicated to the history of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University (抗大). It was completed on April 30, 1999. The name of the hall, “Exhibition Hall of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University,” was inscribed by General Yang Chengwu.

The Exhibition Hall of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University covers an exhibition area of 2,888 square meters and consists of three exhibition halls: the Preface Hall, the Main Theme Hall, and the West Hall. It displays 1,290 items including photographs, artifacts, and cultural relics, and employs semi-scene and full-scene restorations along with modern exhibition techniques such as sound, light, and electricity to recreate the heroic and moving combat history and development achievements of the university.

In June 2001, the Exhibition Hall of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University was designated as a “National Patriotic Education Demonstration Base” by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. On August 21, 2020, it was recognized as a National Model Unit for Patriotic and Military Support. On September 1, 2020, it was included in the third batch of National Anti-Japanese War Memorial Facilities and Sites. On November 20, 2020, it was honored as a “Sixth National Civilized Unit” by the Central Civilization Commission. On December 21, 2020, it was rated as a National Second-Class Museum in the fourth batch.

The Exhibition Hall of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University consists of three parts: the Preface Hall, the Main Theme Hall, and the West Hall.

Preface Hall

At the center of the Preface Hall is a black granite horizontal monument engraved with golden preface text. The educational policy formulated by Comrade Mao Zedong for the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University — “A firm and correct political orientation, a hard-working and plain style, and flexible and mobile strategies and tactics” — along with its school motto, “Unity, Tension, Seriousness, and Liveliness,” are particularly eye-catching. On the wall facing the entrance hang the flag and photo of the gate of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University. The east and west walls display the Eighth Route Army’s military song and the university’s school song respectively, giving the entire hall a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Main Theme Hall

The Main Theme Hall is divided into six sections: “Heroes Gathered on the Banks of the Yellow River,” “Glorious Years in the Enemy’s Rear in North China,” “Breaking Through and Returning to Shaanxi, Establishing Schools in the Northeast,” “The Banner of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University Across China,” and “Stars Shining, Carrying Forward the Legacy.” The hall uses a large number of artifacts, photos, charts, and other materials to recreate the learning and combat life at the university in those years. To further comprehensively present the historical development of military academies, in 2017, the hall added two more exhibition sections: “The Armament Department of the Eighth Route Army Headquarters” and “the Northeast Old Aviation School,” fully showcasing the development history of China’s military education institutions.

West Hall

The West Hall is the “Qiannanyu Exhibition Hall,” showcasing the development and changes in the mountainous areas of Xingtai. Based on the developmental history of Qiannanyu Village, it is divided into five sections: “Hunger and Poverty Amid Hardship, Transforming the World Without Fear,” “Reform and Opening-Up Promote Development, Hard Work Writes a New Chapter,” “Developing Tourism, Reviving Glory,” “Advancing the Building of a New Socialist Countryside,” and “Carrying Forward the Past and Opening the Future Without Stopping, Drawing a New Blueprint for the Times.” The hall displays 240 cultural relics, photos, and other historical materials, and includes six sculptures, sand tables, and models, reflecting the inheritance and great impact of the spirit of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University in today’s society.

1. Admission to this museum is free. (Daily limit: 2,000 individual visitors, 4,000 group visitors; group visitors must make reservations in advance and complete admission procedures with an introduction letter.)

2. Opening hours: 9:00–17:30, no lunch break. Guided tours are available at scheduled times. Last admission is at 17:00. (Closed on Mondays; open as usual on statutory holidays and major Anti-Japanese War memorial days.)

3. Group reservations: 0319-2782477

4. Guided tour inquiries: 0319-2782477

Further reading:

·China’s National Second-Class Museum