Gombobzhab Memorial Hall

Gombobzhab Memorial Hall

Gombobzhab was born in April 1921 in Wǔqí Àobǎo Gacha, Zhengbái Banner, Taipusi Left-wing Pasture (now part of Inner Mongolia). In 1961, he became a U.S. citizen, changed his name to John Gombobzhab, also known as John Gombobzhab Hanggin. In 1964, he was appointed to work on Altaic and Mongolian studies in the United States and was a founding member of the American Association for Mongolian Studies. In 1986, he returned to his hometown to visit relatives and witnessed the tremendous changes that had taken place. Together with his family, he donated $50,000 to Gōngbǎolāgé Primary School, demonstrating the deep loyalty of an overseas Chinese. The construction of the memorial hall follows the original design of Gombobzhab’s former residence, covering an area of approximately 4 mu including the courtyard walls. After completion, small saplings and various flowers were planted in the yard, creating a small garden-style commemorative space. It has become the first cultural memorial hall on the Gongbolag Grassland with educational, research, and sightseeing value.