Former Site of Baoding Army Officers Academy

Former Site of Baoding Army Officers Academy

The former site of the Baoding Army Officers Academy is located on Dongfeng East Road in Baoding City. Established in 1912 by the Beiyang military-political group represented by Yuan Shikai, it was the earliest, largest, most comprehensively equipped, and most formally structured military academy in modern Chinese military education history. It trained over 10,000 military leadership talents, among whom more than 1,000 later became generals, truly earning its reputation as a cradle of generals.

The school buildings were constructed starting in the first half of the 29th year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty (1903 AD) and completed in November of the 30th year (1904 AD), consisting of a total of 573 rooms of various sizes. The architectural layout was modeled after the Japanese Imperial Army Academy.

The Baoding Military Academy holds an extremely important position in the history of modern Chinese military education, modern history, and modern warfare. Many of its graduates played significant roles and made great sacrifices during the Xinhai Revolution, the Second Revolution, the anti-Yuan Shikai monarchy movement, the Northern Expedition, the War of Resistance against Japan, and the Liberation War. Many major events in modern Chinese history are also closely related to the Baoding Military Academy or its graduates. Therefore, the academy’s rich historical legacy serves not only as valuable material for studying modern Chinese history but also as an excellent base for patriotic education among young people.

To commemorate this military academy that contributed greatly to the nation and its people, the Preparatory Office for the Baoding Military Academy Memorial Hall was established in June 1993. In 1995, the first phase of the memorial hall was built on the site of the former academy. In 2002, the Baoding Municipal Government invested over 2 million yuan to expand the academy memorial hall. The current memorial hall spans 68 meters from east to west and 117 meters from north to south, covering a total area of 12 mu. The expansion project included the main gate of the academy, east and west wing rooms, east and west auxiliary rooms, east and west side rooms, the Shangwu Hall (Principal’s Office), and parts of the school buildings. Additionally, the academy’s review platform was restored—it was where academy officials reviewed the training of cadets.

Admission: 5 yuan per person

Guide fee: 30 yuan (for groups under 10); 40 yuan (11–20 people); 50 yuan (21–30 people); 60 yuan (31–40 people); 70 yuan (41–50 people); 100 yuan (over 50 people)

Tour time: 1 hour

Phone: 0312—5020071