Former Site of Whampoa Military Academy Museum, Guangzhou

The main headquarters of the academy, also known as “Zouma Building,” is a two-story brick and wood structure facing north, covering an area of 10,600 square meters. It features three routes with four courtyards connected by corridors. When the military academy was founded, a Western-style gate was added in front of the original gate of the former Army Primary School.

The office of Sun Yat-sen, the premier of the Whampoa Military Academy, was located on the second floor of the Zouma Building. This room served as Sun’s place for work and rest. The interior was simply furnished, with a round table in the center draped in a white tablecloth and decorated with a flower vase. A desk was placed by the northern window, and a dressing mirror for Sun’s wife, Soong Ching-ling, was positioned by the southern window.

Originally part of the Guangdong Customs Whampoa Branch, the building was later used as staff quarters and called Xuehai Building during the academy’s years. After Sun Yat-sen’s death, it was transformed into the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Room. This two-story Western-style brick building spans 805 square meters and commemorates Sun Yat-sen’s efforts during the Constitution Protection Movement in 1917 and the founding of the academy in 1924.

In 1928, a Sun Yat-sen Memorial Monument was erected on Bagui Mountain, south of the Whampoa Military Academy campus. In 1930, a bronze statue of Sun Yat-sen was placed atop the monument, symbolizing his unfulfilled wish to unify China. The statue, platform, and crisscrossing staircases form the character “文” (Wén), representing Sun’s commitment to education and governance. The monument’s base has two sections: seven steps on the lower level and five steps on the upper level, separated by a flat section, symbolizing the academy’s seven cohorts and their participation in five major campaigns. The front of the monument is inscribed with six large characters: “孙总理纪念碑” (Sun Premier Memorial Monument), written by Hu Hanmin. The east side bears Sun Yat-sen’s final words, “Peace, Struggle, Save China,” while the west side features Sun’s famous exhortation that later became the national anthem of the Republic of China. The bronze statue of Sun Yat-sen stands 2.6 meters tall, weighs over 1,000 kilograms, and was funded by his Japanese friend, Umeya Shokichi. The statue was created by Makita Shōzō and cast by the Shinohara Metalworks.

Located on a flat plain southwest of the academy, the Eastern Expedition Martyrs’ Cemetery was established in 1925 by the Guangdong Revolutionary Government to honor soldiers who died during the campaign against warlord Chen Jiongming. Covering more than 50,000 square meters, it was completed in June 1926. In front of the cemetery stands the Memorial Arch for Fallen Heroes, built in 1928 and topped with traditional glazed tiles. In 1936, additional structures, including a Memorial Arch of Honor and a wharf, were added. The central axis of the cemetery features a long passage lined with tombs, including the tomb of martyr Cai Guangju on the east side and the graves of 17 military officers on the west. In 1991, a new exhibition hall dedicated to the Eastern Expedition was constructed. Also standing on Changzhou Island is a 10-meter granite monument commemorating the Northern Expedition. It bears the names of 353 Whampoa Military Academy students, including prominent figures like battalion commander Cao Yuan.

This exhibit features over 200 photographs and 100 artifacts, divided into three sections: “The Whampoa Years,” “The Evolution of the Academy,” and “Whampoa Connections.” It vividly portrays the academy’s glorious past, highlighting the heroic deeds of its students and staff during pivotal moments such as the unification of Guangdong, the Northern Expedition, and the War of Resistance against Japan. The exhibit underscores the profound impact the academy has had on modern Chinese history and military development.

Through 42 oil paintings, this exhibition showcases the figures who played pivotal roles in the academy’s creation and development. These include founders like Sun Yat-sen, Liao Zhongkai, Chiang Kai-shek, and Zhou Enlai, as well as legendary revolutionaries and military leaders such as Nie Rongzhen, Ye Jianying, and Xu Xiangqian. The hall also commemorates Whampoa heroes like Dai Anlan, Xie Jinyuan, and Zhao Yiman, who made great sacrifices during China’s revolutionary movements. The artwork provides a powerful and emotional connection to the academy’s storied past.

This exhibit, titled “The Yester Years: Whampoa Branch of Canton Customs and Its Evolution,” showcases the development of the customs branch through a collection of exquisite historical paintings, particularly export paintings. It provides a unique look at the transformation of the customs office and its impact on the region.

The “History of Sun Yat-sen and Umeya Shokichi” exhibit features around 100 photographs, divided into five sections: “The Sun-Umeya Alliance,” “Toward the Republic,” “Defending the Republic,” “The Creation of the Whampoa Academy,” and “Casting the Bronze Statue.” This exhibit highlights the deep friendship between Sun Yat-sen and his close Japanese friend Umeya Shokichi, showcasing their shared efforts in advancing China’s revolutionary cause.