Zhang Tailei Memorial Hall

　　The Zhang Tailei Memorial Hall is situated at No. 3 Hezi Lane, Qingliang Road, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province. It comprises three parts: the former residence of Zhang Tailei, an exhibition room showcasing his life and achievements, and auxiliary rooms (including a calligraphy and painting exhibition room). The entire museum covers a construction area of 900 square meters, with an exhibition area of 500 square meters.

　　　　The central axis of the Zhang Tailei Memorial Hall features a typical two-courtyard, three-bay wooden structure of a traditional Jiangnan-style residence. Above the entrance gate of the front courtyard is a plaque inscribed with “Zhang Tailei’s Former Residence,” personally written by the beloved Comrade Deng Xiaoping. In the courtyard stands a lifelike half-length white marble statue of Comrade Zhang Tailei, vividly portraying him as one of the important early leaders of the Chinese Communist Party, a founder of the Socialist Youth League of China, an outstanding political activist, and a staunch Marxist. The rear courtyard was where Zhang Tailei’s family temporarily lived from 1918 to 1925. His daughters Xiping and Xilei, and son Yiyang were all born here. The restored exhibits, rich in daily-life atmosphere, recreate the scenes of their lives at that time and authentically document the traces left by Zhang Tailei and his son—both martyrs—during their time here, bearing witness to this heroic family’s great dedication and sacrifice to China’s revolution.

　　　　Precious historical materials, including photos, oil paintings, and artifacts that encapsulate the brilliant twenty-nine years of Zhang Tailei’s life, are displayed in the Exhibition Room of Zhang Tailei’s Life and Achievements located on the east side of the memorial hall. “Striving for the lasting and true happiness of all mankind,” Zhang Tailei’s thunderous legacy radiates an immensely powerful spiritual force, inspiring future generations to embark on even greater modernization endeavors.

　　　　The Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition Room on the west side houses inscriptions in memory of Zhang Tailei by veteran revolutionaries such as Nie Rongzhen, Xu Xiangqian, Zhang Aiping, Wang Renzhong, and Li Weihan, as well as fine calligraphy and painting works created by leaders and scholars from across the country to commemorate Zhang Tailei.

　　　　Zhang Tailei’s Former Residence was designated as a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit by the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government in 1982. It was approved for restoration and opened to the public by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee in 1987. Since 1994, it has been named a provincial and municipal base for patriotic education and school moral education. In 2000, Zhang Tailei’s Former Residence was officially renamed the Zhang Tailei Memorial Hall, and in 2003, it was rated as a National AA-level tourist attraction (site).

　　　　Since its official opening to the public in 1987, the Zhang Tailei Memorial Hall has received over 200,000 visitors from across the country and overseas. It has also published more than ten research books on Zhang Tailei, including The Chronicle of Zhang Tailei, Memories of Zhang Tailei, Collected Works of Zhang Tailei, and The Thunder That Awakens the World, making it an important site for commemorating, promoting, and studying the deeds and spirit of Comrade Zhang Tailei.

　

　　　　Zhang Tailei’s Former Residence is a two-courtyard, three-bay wooden structure of a traditional Jiangnan-style residence, which has a history of over a hundred years and is well preserved. Zhang Tailei and his wife Lu Jinghua lived here for seven years after their marriage in the summer of 1918. His daughters Xiping, Xilei, and son Yiyang were all born here. The restored exhibits, rich in daily-life atmosphere, recreate the scenes of Zhang Tailei and his family’s life here. This simple yet elegant house witnessed the bravery and tragedy of a great family and contributed two martyrs to China’s revolution (his son Yiyang sacrificed his life at the age of 18 in the Shangrao Concentration Camp). Above the entrance gate of the front courtyard is a golden plaque inscribed with “Zhang Tailei’s Former Residence,” personally written by the beloved Comrade Deng Xiaoping. In the center of the courtyard stands a half-length white marble statue of Comrade Zhang Tailei.