Doesn’t the name sound evocative? The \u7ea2\u8272\u6587\u5316\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986 or Red Culture Memorial Hall stands as a poignant reminder of Beijing’s revolutionary past. It marks a period of immense change.
Beijing has many red scenic spots. They each hold significant meaning. Today we will explore one of them together.
The \u7ea2\u8272\u6587\u5316\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986 focuses on the New Culture Movement. This movement greatly influenced China’s path. Let’s step inside and explore the history.
This hall is located at 29 Wusi Avenue in the Dongcheng District. It stands on the original site of Peking University’s Red Building. The Red Building was built with red bricks hence the name. The \u7ea2\u8272\u6587\u5316\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986 opened to the public on April 28 2002.
Peking University itself has a rich history. It started as the Jingshi University Hall in 1898. In 1912 it was renamed National Peking University. From 1916 the university constructed student dormitories in the Sha Tan area. These buildings used red bricks. They became known as the Red Building. After its completion in August 1918 the Red Building housed the university offices. It also housed the library and liberal arts classrooms. It was the base for Peking University’s College of Liberal Arts.
The Red Building became famous because of the May Fourth Movement and the New Culture Movement. Chen Duxiu founded “Youth Magazine” in Shanghai in September 1915. This publication promoted democracy and science. In January 1917 educator Cai Yuanpei became the president of National Peking University. His office was located in this building.
Cai Yuanpei reformed Peking University after Western models. He advocated for new culture and new ideas. He also hired new faculty including Chen Duxiu. Chen became the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Other hires included Li Dazhao and Hu Shi. The “New Youth” editorial department moved to Beijing with Chen Duxiu. Peking University became a hub for the New Culture Movement. The Red Building was its base.
The \u7ea2\u8272\u6587\u5316\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986 uses the Red Building to display the New Culture Movement. The exhibits showcase the May Fourth Movement. They also highlight the Red Building’s history.
Exhibits like “New Culture Movement Exhibition” and “Cai Yuanpei and Peking University Red Building” provide context. These shows display artifacts and photos. They show the rise of the New Culture Movement. They also show the spread of Marxism in China. Rooms once occupied by figures like Li Dazhao are recreated.
The \u7ea2\u8272\u6587\u5316\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986 also has a screening room. Here you can view films about the May Fourth Movement.
The \u7ea2\u8272\u6587\u5316\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986 holds artifacts like the “Map of Jingshi”. It also holds Cai Yuanpei’s manuscripts. The site is now a patriotic education base. It is also a key red tourism scenic area.
As we conclude our visit here at the \u7ea2\u8272\u6587\u5316\u7eaa\u5ff5\u9986 remember its lasting impact. This is a place where ideas took root. Those ideas changed China forever.