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, a base for patriotic education, and a national defense education base.

The Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University (abbreviated as 抗大) 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 the Chinese revolution. Initially founded in northern Shaanxi, it later relocated to the enemy’s rear areas as the situation evolved. On November 4, 1940, the main campus of the university moved to the Jiangshui area of Xingtai County, Hebei Province, with its headquarters set up in Qian'nanyu Village. During the three years of operation in Qian'nanyu Village, the university trained three cohorts of students, totaling 18,000 people. Veteran proletarian revolutionaries such as Deng Xiaoping, Liu Bocheng, Luo Ronghuan, 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 socialist construction and development of New China.

The Museum of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University is China’s first museum dedicated to the history of the university. Located in Qian'nanyu Village, Jiangshui Town, Xingtai County, Hebei Province, it is 60 kilometers from downtown Xingtai. The total planned area is 5 square kilometers and mainly consists of five parts: the Museum of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University, the Monument to the University, the Former Residences of the University, the Forest of Stone Tablets of the University, and the Reception Office. The museum has four exhibition halls, covering an area of 2,680 square meters, and includes six sections: the Preface Hall, "Heroes Assembled on the Banks of the Yellow River," "Turbulent Years in the Rear Areas of North China," "Breakout and Return to Shaanxi and Establishment in the Northeast," "The Banner of the University Flies Across China," and "Stars Shine Bright—Carrying Forward the Legacy." In 1995, it was named a “Provincial Patriotic Education Base” by the Hebei Provincial Committee of the CPC 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 redacted]. In 2003, it was listed as a “Provincial National Defense Education Base” by the Hebei Provincial National Defense Education Office. In 2008, it was designated as a “Provincial Integrity Education Base” by the Publicity Department of the Hebei Provincial Committee and the Hebei 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 listed as a “Field Teaching Base” by the National Defense University of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. 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, Party and 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 Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University officially opened to the public free of charge. This created an excellent opportunity for the museum to widely carry out educational and promotional activities, which have also received high recognition from the general public. The museum receives over one million visitors annually on average. Additionally, the museum collaborates with major media outlets such as China Central Television, China National Radio, and Hebei Television to conduct promotional campaigns. 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-based red education programs such as “Coming-of-Age Oath Ceremony for Students” and the “Anti-University Cup Red Song Contest Celebrating the Taihang Mountains.” These initiatives play an active role in promoting patriotism and revolutionary traditions.

Qian'nanyu Village: Source: Hebei Economic Daily

Located deep in the Taihang Mountains in Jiangshui Town, Xingtai County, Qian'nanyu Village transformed itself from barren land — once described as having “bare hills like monks’ heads, flooding every time it rained, disasters when it poured, and droughts that killed cattle without rain” — into the greenest spot in the Taihang Mountains, thanks to decades of relentless efforts led by local pioneer Guo Chengzhi, who embodied the spirit of the Foolish Old Man Who Removed the Mountains.

Villagers say Qian'nanyu owes its transformation today to a spirit of perseverance — a kind of “foolish” determination.

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 drifts through fluttering curtains…” More details about Qian'nanyu Village++