Victory Memorial Hall (Shenglitang) of Anti-Japanese War in Kunming

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Chinese Name: 昆明抗战胜利纪念堂
English Name: Victory Memorial Hall of Anti-Japanese War in Kunming

The Victory Memorial Hall of the Anti-Japanese War (抗战胜利纪念堂) is located in the northern part of Guanghua Street (光华街北), Wuhua District (五华区), Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province. It was completed in 1946, the 35th year of the Republic of China (民国). Originally the site of the Qing Dynasty Yunnan-Gui Provincial Governor’s Office (云贵总督署), this structure is a combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles in the form of a palace. The building has a rigorous structure, with the central hall designed in the shape of an aircraft, representing the joy of victory in the Anti-Japanese War. The layout, when combined with the surrounding circular buildings of Yunrui Park (云瑞公园) and the East and West Yunrui Roads (云瑞东西路), forms a golden wine cup and flower garland pattern, symbolizing the victorious spirit.

The Victory Memorial Hall covers an area of approximately 30 acres and is composed of three main sections: the main building of the Victory Memorial Hall, the People’s Heroes Monument (人民英雄纪念碑), and the Yunnan People’s Revolutionary Struggle History Exhibition Hall (云南人民革命斗争史展厅). It holds significant historical, cultural, artistic, and scientific value, reflecting the vitality and creativity of the Chinese nation. It plays a critical role in preserving and promoting national cultural traditions, enhancing national unity, and strengthening national confidence, making it a symbol of the nation’s enduring spirit.

In May 2006, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China officially designated the Victory Memorial Hall as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit (第六批全国重点文物保护单位).

Historical Development

In 1945 (the 34th year of the Republic of China), preparations for the Victory Memorial Hall began, and the project was completed in 1946 (the 35th year).

In December 1950, the “Victory Hall” was renamed the “People’s Victory Hall” by the First People’s Congress of Yunnan Province, and the “People’s Heroes Monument” was planned.

In 1951, the foundation for the People’s Heroes Monument was laid.

On February 24, 1995, the People’s Heroes Monument and the Yunnan People’s Revolutionary Struggle History Exhibition Hall were completed and opened to the public for free.

In May 2006, the Victory Memorial Hall was officially designated by the State Council as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, and it was once again renamed the “Victory Memorial Hall of the Anti-Japanese War.”

In March 2019, the Victory Memorial Hall was approved by the People’s Government of Yunnan Province to become the “Victory Memorial Hall Museum.”

Architectural Layout

The Victory Memorial Hall originally served as the site of the Governor-General’s Office during the Qing Dynasty and features a palace-style architecture that harmoniously blends Chinese and Western styles. The design is structured rigorously, and the plan of the main hall takes the shape of a fighter aircraft. In a symmetrical layout, the functional areas consist of a foyer (including a main hall and two side halls) and a large central hall, which is a rare spacious structure for its time, complemented by auxiliary rooms. The façade showcases a combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles, with attractive and elegant designs. Parts of the roof feature traditional Chinese single-eaved hip roofs, with half-arch eaves and upturned corners, while the white marble railings reflect traditional Qing-style craftsmanship.

Main Buildings

Main Building of the Victory Memorial Hall: The main building of the Victory Memorial Hall has an area of about 4,600 square meters. The hall can accommodate about 950 people, and the conference room can seat about 60 people, suitable for use as classrooms. In the southeast corner, there is a reading room named “Victory Reading Room” (胜利书屋), with an area of over 60 square meters and seating for more than 40 people. The reading room offers a selection of red-themed books, popular science books, classical social sciences, foreign journals, and high-quality cultural creative books, providing a venue for educational and cultural activities.

Yunnan People’s Heroes Monument and Exhibition Hall: The monument and exhibition hall span over 2,000 square meters, with the monument standing about 27 meters tall. The monument is square-shaped, and the exhibition hall, located beneath the base of the monument, covers around 1,300 square meters. This hall displays the history of the revolutionary struggles in Yunnan, and the monument’s base is surrounded by relief sculptures that depict the struggle of the Yunnan people during the revolution.

Yunnan People’s Hero Monument and Exhibition Hall

The Yunnan People’s Hero Monument and Exhibition Hall cover an area of over 2,000 square meters and can accommodate around 200 visitors at a time. The monument stands approximately 27 meters tall and is square-shaped. The exhibition area beneath the monument’s base, covering about 1,300 square meters, features displays on the history of revolutionary struggles in Yunnan, while the monument’s base is adorned with bas-reliefs reflecting the struggle history of the people of Yunnan.

Significance and Value

The Victory Memorial Hall represents the unique spiritual values, thinking patterns, and creativity of the Chinese people, symbolizing the nation’s vitality and strength. Its historical, artistic, and scientific value is profound, and it is important for inheriting and promoting the nation’s excellent cultural traditions. It plays a key role in strengthening national unity, enhancing national confidence, and promoting the construction of socialist spiritual civilization.

Protection Measures

In May 2006, the Victory Memorial Hall was included in the sixth batch of the National Key Cultural Relic Protection Units by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

Honors and Awards

In 1997, the Victory Memorial Hall was designated as a “Patriotic Education Base of Yunnan Province.”

In 2000, it was designated as a “National Youth Education Base.”

In 2005, it was honored as a “National Defense Education Base of Yunnan Province.”

In August 2015, it was included as a second batch of national Anti-Japanese War memorial facilities by the State Council of China.

On November 24, 2018, the Victory Memorial Hall was included in the third batch of “20th Century Chinese Architectural Heritage Projects.”

Tourism Information

Location: The Victory Memorial Hall is located at the northern end of Guanghua Street (光华街北), Wuhua District (五华区), Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province.

Victory Memorial Hall Museum Address: 49 Yunrui West Road (云瑞西路49号), Wuhua District, Kunming, Yunnan Province.

Transportation Information

Walking Directions: The Victory Memorial Hall is approximately 470 meters from the People’s Government of Kunming, a 7-minute walk.