Hechuan Tao Xingzhi Memorial Hall

　　On July 20, 1939, the Yucai School founded by Tao Xingzhi opened at the ancient Sheng Temple on Phoenix Mountain in Caojiezi, Hechuan, Chongqing. Its students were war-displaced children from 15 provinces. The school tailored its curriculum to students’ interests and talents, offering extracurricular groups in music, drama, literature, and more alongside core subjects. Tao Xingzhi clearly defined the school’s mission: “To cultivate outstanding children among the displaced youth through the principles and methods of life education, and to nurture them into talents for the War of Resistance and national reconstruction.”

　　In accordance with Zhou Enlai’s instructions, the Southern Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee established a direct underground Party branch at Yucai to assist Tao Xingzhi in running the school. Zhou Enlai, Ye Jianying, Dong Biwu, Wu Yuzhang, and Deng Yingchao all left their footprints at Yucai School, while scholars and educators such as Jian Bozan, Ai Qing, Dai Ailian, Tian Han, Shi Liang, and He Luting once taught there. Of the over 600 Yucai teachers and students, more than 300 joined the underground Communist Party organization. During the 1947 Chongqing student movement, Yucai students played a pivotal role.

　　The Tao Xingzhi Memorial Hall, located at the former site of Yucai School, features a classical Chinese architectural design that combines commemoration and exhibition with education and tourism.

　　Source: Chongqing Hongyan Cultural Development Management Center Author: Liu Liqun