Xingtai Earthquake Data Exhibition Hall

Xingtai Earthquake Data Exhibition Hall

The Xingtai Earthquake Data Exhibition Hall serves as a base for science education and patriotic education.

The Xingtai Earthquake Memorial and the Xingtai Earthquake Data Exhibition Hall were approved by the People's Government of Hebei Province and commenced construction in Longyao County on September 12, 1986. They cover an area of 7,770 square meters with a building area of 2,640 square meters. On March 8, 1987, the State Council, the National Committee of the CPPCC, the China Earthquake Administration, the Hebei Provincial Government, the Hebei Earthquake Administration, and the Xingtai Prefecture Administrative Office held a grand inauguration ceremony in the square of the Xingtai Earthquake Memorial, and the site was opened to the public from that day on. In March 2006, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Xingtai Earthquake, the China Earthquake Administration, the Hebei Earthquake Administration, the Xingtai Municipal Government, and the Longyao County Government jointly invested in the renovation. It is under the jurisdiction of the Longyao County Government and managed specifically by the Longyao County Earthquake Bureau. The facility has one director, one tour guide, and two administrators, with funding coming from county financial allocations and higher-level subsidies.

The Xingtai Earthquake Data Exhibition Hall has a building area of 440 square meters and features a five-block docking structure, consisting of a central hall, east and west side halls, and east and west wing halls. The name “Xingtai Earthquake Data Exhibition Hall,” written in gold-plated characters, was inscribed by Fang Yi, then Vice Premier of the State Council and Director of the State Science and Technology Commission. At the center of the main hall stands a full-body bronze statue of Premier Zhou Enlai delivering a speech at the Baijiazhai Disaster Relief Rally, standing 2.06 meters tall—symbolizing its remodeling in 2006. The base of the statue is 1.04 meters high, making the total height 3.10 meters, symbolizing his visit on March 10 to Baijiazhai. Behind the statue is the world’s largest instant noodle production base, the Dongfang Food City in Longyao, which rose from the hardest-hit earthquake zone. On the east side of the hall is the famous song “The Party’s Kindness Outweighs All”—spontaneously sung by quake victims and composed by renowned musician Li Jiefu. On the west side is the oil painting “The People and the Premier” by famed artist Zhou Sicong. The ceiling of the hall is adorned with 56 lights encircling four concentric circles, symbolizing the unity of China’s 56 ethnic groups closely rallying around the Party, standing together with unyielding resolve, capable of overcoming any challenge from above or below, and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The “Xingtai Earthquake Data Exhibition” is set up in the east and west side halls and the east wing hall. The exhibition primarily consists of large original photographs supplemented by textual descriptions, charts, and related video materials. Its main sections include: Xingtai’s Calamity, Compassionate Care, Earthquake Relief, Rebuilding Homes, Earthquake Research, and the Great Transformation of Xiangxian. Displayed items include: the sofa Premier Zhou sat on while listening to reports on the evening of March 9, the wooden relief crate he stood on during his March 10 speech to victims, the coarse porcelain bowl he drank from, and some simple earthquake observation instruments. These collectively recreate the disaster of the first devastating earthquake in New China, which struck Xingtai in March 1966. They also highlight the people-oriented dedication of founding Premier Zhou Enlai, Vice Premier Li Xiannian, and the leader of the Central Sympathy Delegation Zeng Shan; the deep bond between soldiers and civilians, the spirit of socialist unity where everyone supports those in need, and the real scenes of how China’s distinctive earthquake prediction system emerged through the combination of expert and public efforts, traditional and modern methods, and multi-path exploration. It also showcases the tremendous transformation that has taken place in the former quake zone over the 40 years since the disaster, with the resilient people of Xingtai promoting the great spirit of earthquake resistance, striving hard, and turning the once ravaged land into a rapidly developing and soaring new Xingtai.

In front of the Xingtai Earthquake Data Exhibition Hall stands the Xingtai Earthquake Memorial. The memorial is built with reinforced concrete and faced with dry-hung Taishan red granite. It is 19.66 meters tall, symbolizing the year 1966 when the Xingtai Earthquake occurred. The platform of the memorial is 1.5 meters high and covers an area of 1,200 square meters, surrounded by white marble railings. The front steps of the platform are divided into two levels: the first level has three steps, and the second has eight, symbolizing the date of the major quake—March 8. The sides of the memorial feature “人”-shaped protrusions, representing the unyielding will of the people in the disaster zone—“man can conquer nature, and we will not yield under any pressure.” The front of the memorial bears the seven gold-plated Chinese characters “Xingtai Earthquake Memorial,” inscribed by then President Li Xiannian. The back features the gold-plated words of the earthquake relief policy formulated by Premier Zhou Enlai: “Self-reliance, hard work, develop production, rebuild homes.” The front of the base is engraved with an inscription, while the sides and back feature three white marble bas-reliefs depicting “Calamity,” “Rescue,” and “Reconstruction.”

Over the 20 years since opening to the public, the site has received 1.2 million visitors, including leaders and individuals from all walks of life, both domestic and international, who came to pay respects, visit, learn, and provide guidance. On March 25, 1996, then Premier Li Peng inscribed a message for the Xingtai Earthquake Data Exhibition Hall: “Strengthen earthquake prevention and disaster reduction, protect people’s safety.” On June 18, 2006, the Vice President of China visited the Xingtai Earthquake Data Exhibition Hall to pay respects and inspect the site, offering kind encouragement and leaving a personal signature. The Xingtai Earthquake Memorial and the Xingtai Earthquake Data Exhibition Hall have not only become an important window for external engagement with significant national influence but have also been designated as the “Youth Ideological Education Base,” “Cadre Training and Education Base,” “Patriotic Education Base,” and “National Earthquake Prevention and Disaster Reduction Science Education Base” of Xingtai City.