Site of the Former Work-Study Program for France in Changxindian

Site of the Former Work-Study Program for France in Changxindian

The Site of the Former Work-Study Program for France in Changxindian is a municipal cultural heritage protection unit in Beijing and a classic red tourism destination.

The Site of the Former Work-Study Program for France in Changxindian is located in Changxindian Town and is part of the third batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing.

It was originally the industrial division of the Changxindian branch of the Higher French School, sponsored by the Overseas Workers Bureau of the Beijing-Hankou Railway. In 1918, a work-study program for France was held here.

Source: Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage

The former site of the preparatory class for the Work-Study Program for France in Changxindian is located on the campus of Beijing No. 1 High School in Changxindian, Fengtai District, Beijing (demolished in early 2016). It is a two-story square French-style building with a construction area of 251 square meters.

The building was originally a residence constructed by the Beijing-Hankou Railway Bureau for Guo Changtai, the head of the train room.

In the summer of 1918, after the building was completed, Cai Yuanpei and Li Shizeng of the Sino-French Educational Association negotiated to convert it into classrooms for the preparatory class of the Work-Study Program for France. This preparatory class was also known as the "Industrial Division of the Changxindian Branch of the Higher French School" and had three sections: foundry, machinery, and fitter. Over 100 students from all over China participated in a work-study system, learning French while acquiring production skills. Wu Yuzhang once studied French here while interning at the Changxindian train room. These students enrolled in the summer of 1918 and went to France in the winter of 1919. During the operation of the preparatory class, in the winter of 1918 and March 1919, Mao Zedong, who was one of the leaders of the Work-Study Program for France movement in Hunan at the time, visited twice to see the Hunanese students.

In 1984, the "Site of the Former Work-Study Program for France in Changxindian" was listed as part of the third batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing. Due to years of disrepair, including leaking roofs, peeling walls, and severe insect damage, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and the Fengtai District People's Government allocated special funds for renovation in 2001. In June 2001, the completion ceremony of the renovation project of the Site of the Former Work-Study Program for France in Changxindian was held, and the "Exhibition of Historical Materials on the Work-Study Program for France Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Party" was opened at the site.

Since then, the site has housed a permanent exhibition, receiving group visits from middle and high school students. It was temporarily closed after the demolition of the Railway Middle School. The former exhibition content was divided into: “Part One: Responding to the Trends of the Times and Initiating Education for France; Part Two: Seeking the Truth to Save the Nation and Sparking a Surge in the Work-Study Movement for France; Part Three: Persevering in Hard Work and Study Despite Difficulties; Part Four: Establishing Party and Youth League Organizations to Support the Struggles of the Homeland; Part Five: Students Returning to China to Join the Chinese Revolution.”

In 2013, the "Site of the Former Preparatory Class for the Work-Study Program for France in Changxindian," as part of the sites related to the "February 7th" Strike in Changxindian, was listed as part of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Reservation Guide:

Reservation Guide for the Site of the Former Preparatory Class for the Work-Study Program for France in Changxindian, Beijing

　　Visitor Limit: Maximum of 200 visitors per day

　　Steps to Follow:

　　1. Access the reservation system for the Site of the Former Preparatory Class for the Work-Study Program for France in Changxindian, Beijing, and click "Collect Tickets"

2. Select the Site of the Former Preparatory Class for the Work-Study Program for France in Changxindian, Beijing

　　3. Choose your visit date, fill in your personal information, and submit the reservation to complete the process

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for disinfection). The site is located within a school campus (Changxindian First High School – Changtie Campus). Opening hours may be temporarily adjusted due to teaching schedules, with advance notice provided.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Beijing