“Ever noticed how this paifang stands a bit taller than most?” I ask. This is the south gate牌坊 of the former National Sun Yat-sen University. This spot marks history. It tells a tale of education and resilience. We are standing before the \u56fd\u7acb\u4e2d\u5c71\u5927\u5b66\u77f3\u724c\u6821\u56ed\u5357\u95e8\u724c\u574a. It is more than just an entrance.
This牌坊 represents the original site of National Sun Yat-sen University. It stands in Guangzhou’s Tianhe District. The \u56fd\u7acb\u4e2d\u5c71\u5927\u5b66\u77f3\u724c\u6821\u56ed\u5357\u95e8\u724c\u574a is a landmark. It is on Wushan Road’s eastern side.
Sun Yat-sen directed the selection of this area for the new campus. This happened in the early days of the university. He appointed 校长 Zou Lu to oversee the construction. The location was chosen in the Sh牌 area of Wushan.
Construction started in March 1933. It was a massive project. Funding came from various sources. These included central government allocations and donations. The first phase finished in September 1934. The colleges of agriculture, engineering and law moved here. By October 1935, most of the university had relocated. Only the medical school remained at the old campus.
However progress stalled. By 1936, costs had overrun. In 1938, the Japanese army occupied Guangzhou. University construction stopped. The university moved several times during the war. It finally returned to Sh牌 after Japan surrendered in 1945.
The construction of the new campus impacted the local Sh牌 village. Agreements ensured the village could still use water for irrigation. Also three places per year at the 中山 University were guaranteed for Sh牌 villagers. The University and Sh牌 village maintained a good relationship. Villagers participated in university sports events.
In 1952, a reorganization of higher education took place. 中山 University moved to the former Lingnan University site. This is now the South Campus. The Sh牌 campus became home to the South China Institute of Technology. It also housed the South China Agricultural College.
Today, the \u56fd\u7acb\u4e2d\u5c71\u5927\u5b66\u77f3\u724c\u6821\u56ed\u5357\u95e8\u724c\u574a is a protected site. It was designated in July 2002. The牌坊 serves as a reminder. It recalls the university’s original location. All branch campuses model their 牌坊 on this original design.
The \u56fd\u7acb\u4e2d\u5c71\u5927\u5b66\u77f3\u724c\u6821\u56ed\u5357\u95e8\u724c\u574a once suffered damage. During the Cultural Revolution, it was vandalized. Thankfully it was later restored.
So look closely at the \u56fd\u7acb\u4e2d\u5c71\u5927\u5b66\u77f3\u724c\u6821\u56ed\u5357\u95e8\u724c\u574a. Consider its story of war. Consider its story of relocation. Consider its story of restoration. The \u56fd\u7acb\u4e2d\u5c71\u5927\u5b66\u77f3\u724c\u6821\u56ed\u5357\u95e8\u724c\u574a is not just stones. It is a testament to education’s enduring spirit.