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Memorial halls pay tribute to city’s wartime past
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TO commemorate Hangzhou residents’ brave resistance against Japanese aggression during World War Two, last week the local government established a “red league” of 20 memorial halls to showcase heroes and historic records from the conflict.
On December 24, 1937, Japanese invaders entered Hangzhou and plundered the city. Treasures and relics were looted, and structures around the West Lake were destroyed. Though more than 30,000 citizens died in the cruel war, local people fought against the enemy until they finally triumphed in 1945.
Today, Shanghai Daily takes a look at the city’s patriotic memorial halls to learn about Hangzhou’s heroic history and those who sacrificed themselves in the name of peace and liberty.
Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in Yuhang
This hall was officially opened to the public last year to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the war. It was built on the original site of a martyr hall constructed during the Republic of China era (1912-1949).
The old buildings cover an area of 1,200 square meters and feature a traditional Chinese architectural style marked by black tiled roofs, white walls and up-turned eaves. During wartime, Chinese armies hosted a meeting here to confer with locals about contending with their enemies collectively.
The local government started to restore these buildings in 2012 and finished the work in 2014. To make full use of these meaningful buildings, the government turned them into a patriotic venue to showcase the wartime history of Yuhang District.
The exhibition space is divided into four sections with a wealth of historical documents to show the enemy’s barbarism and the dauntless resistance of the local people.
People can go hiking at Shan Gou Gou when they finish their visit at the hall. Luniao Town, where the hall sits, is not well known to tourists. However, it boasts idyllic landscapes filled with lush vegetation, water, gullies and hills. It attracts swarms of fireflies in spring and summer. Family-run guesthouses provide food and accommodation.
Date: Tuesday-Sunday
Address: Taida Road, Taigongtang Village, Yuhang District
Admission: Free
Ma Yinchu Former Residence
Ma Yinchu (1882-1982) was a prominent patriot and economist. During wartime, he wrote articles calling on people to resist their enemies. He also spread his ideas at local universities.
Ma’s former residence is at the center of Qingchun Road and stands in sharp contrast to the businesses surrounding it. Built in a Western style, it covers an area of 486 square meters. A stone statue of Ma stands in the front lawn. Lush vegetation shades the house, creating a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
The second floor was Ma’s bedroom, and the desks, chairs, wardrobe, lamps and photographs are still arranged as he left them. Today, the first and second floors are open to the public.
In addition to his great contributions during the war, Ma was also praised for his academic work. In 1957, Ma presented his New Population Theory, which stated that continued high rates of population growth would be detrimental to China’s development. For this reason, he advocated government controls on fertility. China’s one child policy drew heavily on Ma’s theory.
Date: Tuesday-Sunday
Address: 626 Qingchun Rd
Admission: Free
Memorial Hall of Minzu Daily
Minzu Daily was established in 1939 with the aim of uniting people from all walks of life to fight against the Japanese invaders. It was popular with readers in Hangzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing and Jiaxing in northern Zhejiang Province by virtue of its patriotic stance.
Though the newspaper only existed for seven years, its glory days are still worth commemorating. A Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) ancestral hall in Yuqianhe Village housed the paper’s offices. However, the antiqued buildings fell into disrepair long ago due to lack of upkeep.
The local government listed the site as a protected relic and started renovation in the 1990s. At that time, authorities gathered documents and artifacts related to the newspaper from the public, and established the memorial hall to remember its history.
The old printing presses used by founder Wang Wenshi were preserved in the hall. These machines were used to bolster patriotic spirits during tough times. A statue was also erected in honor of the founder and journalists who died in the war.
Date: Tuesday-Sunday
Address: south of Houtiao Road, Linan County
Admission: Free
Sun Xiaomei Martyr Memorial Hall
Sun was born and grew up in Longmen Village of Fuyang County. During the war, she helped Chinese armies transport secret letters and escorted comrades in disguise. In 1943, Japanese invaders hunted her down and tortured her until she died at the age of 29.
The central government named her as a martyr when the war ended. Longmen Village later turned a local venue into a memorial hall honoring this brave woman. Documents and artifacts provided by Sun’s family are on display here.
Today’s Longmen Village is a popular scenic spot. Visitors here can see well-preserved structures from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties which are unique in southeastern China. In each house there is a large ancestral hall, which in olden times served as a living room. Sun’s hall is situated in the Zhongde Ancestral Hall, one of the ancient buildings in the village.
Date: Tuesday-Sunday
Address: Longmen Village, Fuyang County
Admission: Free
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