The Northern Expedition War Memorial Hall

The Northern Expedition War Memorial Hall

The Northern Expedition War Memorial Hall is a classic red tourism destination and a patriotic education base.

The Northern Expedition War Memorial Hall is located on the northern slope of Maofeng Mountain in downtown Shaoguan, Guangdong. Construction began in October 2008, and after nearly two years of preparation, it was officially completed on June 29, 2010. The museum houses a large collection of cultural relics, artifacts, and historical photographs from Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the period of the Northern Expedition. It was officially opened to the public and tourists free of charge on July 1.

This memorial hall is the first of its kind in Guangdong dedicated to the Northern Expedition War, covering a total area of nearly 12,000 square meters. The main building is a two-story structure with a reinforced concrete frame, featuring exterior walls made of imitation antique blue brick and exposed masonry. The building is a two-story Western-style quadrangle with a brick-and-wood structure, facing south and sitting north. It has a square inner courtyard, with staircases on the north and south buildings connecting to the second floor. Both floors are surrounded by corridors that serve as passageways. The main building covers an area of 1,750 square meters, with a construction area of 2,966 square meters, a main height of 12.32 meters, and a total investment of 8.9992 million yuan.

In front of the hall stands a solemn bronze statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, donated by the Zhongshan Municipal Government, standing upright under the blue sky. The total investment for the construction and exhibition setup of the memorial hall is 17.99 million yuan, divided into six major sections including the Northern Expedition War Exhibition Hall and the Northern Expedition Generals Exhibition Hall.

After nearly two years of effort, the Shaoguan municipal government investigated and collected a large number of cultural relics from the United States, as well as regions in China such as Hong Kong, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Guangzhou, and Meizhou. The museum has gathered a total of 81 cultural relics and artifacts (including 32 replicas) related to Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the Northern Expedition period, along with 410 photographs. Among these, the relics include a hardwood office desk used by Dr. Sun Yat-sen during his time commanding the Northern Expedition in Shaoguan, commemorative picture albums of Dr. Sun Yat-sen from the Republican era, and other precious items. Additionally, scene reconstructions have been made of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s bedroom, office, and military operations room.

Currently, eight bunkers from the Great Revolution period to the Anti-Japanese War period are still preserved on Maofeng Mountain, where the memorial hall is located. These include the Dingshaobao, Gongbeibao, Zhidao Bao, Wubao, and Qiaotoubao, among others. Including surrounding cliff bunkers and dock bunkers, there are a total of 13 bunkers.

Reason for Establishment

To strengthen patriotic education, commemorate the great achievements of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the forerunner of the revolution, highlight the important role of Shaoguan in the Northern Expedition War, and enhance the international and domestic visibility of Shaoguan as a historic and cultural city, at the first session of the 12th Shaoguan Municipal People's Congress, 15 deputies including Yang Chunfang submitted a proposal titled “On Building the Northern Expedition Memorial Hall to Enhance the Promotion of the Historic and Cultural City.” In response, the Shaoguan Municipal Government decided to construct the Sun Yat-sen Northern Expedition Memorial Hall. A working group for the memorial hall was established, and the site was chosen at Maofeng Mountain in Zhenjiang District. The Shaoguan Urban Management Bureau created a restoration plan of the Northern Expedition headquarters based on relevant historical documents, and the main building has now been fully completed according to the design.

Historical Background

Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a great pioneer of China’s democratic revolution and is revered as the Father of the Nation. He dedicated his life to the nation, and his efforts to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and revitalize China earned worldwide acclaim. The Northern Expedition War is a significant event in modern Chinese history. In 1922 and 1924, Dr. Sun Yat-sen personally went to Shaoguan twice to direct the Northern Expedition, establishing his headquarters there. During the Northern Expedition, on September 3, 1924, Dr. Sun Yat-sen presided over the seventh meeting of the Central Political Conference of the Kuomintang, deciding to issue the Northern Expedition Declaration and the declaration of moving the Northern Expedition Headquarters to Shaoguan, rallying under the slogans of “opposing imperialism” and “opposing the northern warlords” to launch the expedition. On September 20 of the same year, the Northern Expeditionary Army swore in at Shaoguan to begin the campaign, and Dr. Sun Yat-sen personally inspected the troops at Nancui Field in Shaoguan (now within Zhongshan Park).