Southwest Associated University Mengzi Campus

Scenes inside the memorial


Mengzi Campus of Southwest Associated University, a paradise by the South Lake (Honghe Jianshuiyou 5) Photo and text: Liu Guoxiong


Zhu Ziqing, Wen Yiduo, Yang Zhenning, Li Zhengdao, Deng Jiaxian, Zhu Guangya... These are a string of flashy names, and I didn't expect that they were all related to the National Southwest Associated University. It was only after I saw it in the Memorial Hall of Mengzi Campus of Southwest Associated University that I learned about it.

I came to Mengzi on a self-driving trip during the Spring Festival. Of course, I wanted to visit the Mengzi branch of Southwest Associated University. I passed through the Nanhu Lake with green trees and rippling blue waves, and came to a row of French-style buildings. The unique shape makes people feel that it has a unique shape. Extraordinary story.

Here, in the clear blue sky and the quiet air, it seems that the sound of the sun setting can be heard.
This old building with a long history is the National Southwest Associated University Mengzi Branch Memorial Hall. This memorial hall was built in 2011 at the old site of the former Southwestern Associated University Mengzi Branch. When you walk into the Memorial Hall of the former Southwest Associated University Mengzi Branch, you can see many cultural relics and pictures from that year. There are 4 parts: History of the Branch School, History of the United Nations University Talents, and History of the United Nations University Spirit. There are a total of 8 exhibition halls, which introduce the school-running process of the Mengzi Branch of Southwest Associated University in a relatively comprehensive and detailed manner.
After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War in 1937, Southwest Associated University, composed of Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University, moved to Kunming. In April 1938, the School of Arts and Law and Business of National Southwest Associated University moved to Mengzi. Moved back to Kunming.

Although the Southwest Associated University only had one semester in Mengzi, during this period, the teachers and students of the Alliance actively carried out anti-Japanese and national salvation propaganda activities, supported and helped the local development of cultural and educational undertakings, widely spread patriotism, democratic ideas and scientific culture, and left behind It has left precious spiritual wealth and had a profound impact on the modern development of Mengzi.


By the South Lake in Mengzi City, Yunnan, there is an old building with a long history, which makes people want to go in and explore it.

quiet environment

Why is the exit of the memorial hall called "First Floor Downstairs"? There is a story in it. Wen Yiduo, who came here back then, compared Mengzi to "a paradise". Besides, he seldom went downstairs for activities. Zheng Tianting, a history professor, saw that he was "reading angrily to save the country" like this, and he was afraid it would be bad for his health, so he advised him, "Yiduo, why don't you go downstairs?" Elegant name.

The memorial hall is already an important patriotic education base

In 1937, the Anti-Japanese War broke out in an all-round way, and the vast areas of North China fell one after another.

Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University moved south to Kunming to form the Southwest Associated University. Due to the lack of school buildings in Kunming, Mengzi temporarily accepted the liberal arts and law schools of the Associated University.





The students came in narrow trains

From Kunming to Bisezhai in Mengzi, there is the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, and teachers and students take the small train to Bisezhai



The classroom scene

student achievement

student dormitory

workbook and bed

Wen Yiduo's story

Wen Yiduo's room





Absolutely transplanted Zhenqianzhi, and sprinkled Li Yuan's blood all over Kyushu.

Under extremely difficult conditions, Southwest Associated University has become a world-renowned first-class university with its outstanding contributions in order to preserve the lifeline of education and culture, creating a miracle in the history of Chinese and foreign higher education.

A world-renowned cultural lecture hall is opened here, and too many literati and scholars have emerged here—Deng Jiaxian, Zhu Guangya, Chen Yinke, Wen Yiduo, Feng Youlan, Jin Yuelin, Zhu Ziqing, Qian Mu, Wu Mi, Liu Wendian...


A group photo of the teachers and students back then, as well as the items they used



The environment around the school and the South Lake is also reflected

Mengzi Guoqiao rice noodle shop is also reflected



Because of the beautiful Nanhu here, they established a literary group called Nanhu Poetry Society. Wen Yiduo, Luo Yong, and Zhu Ziqing became the directors of the poetry club, and Mu Dan, Zhou Dingyi, Liu Chongde, Zhao Ruihong, Xiang Changqing, Liu Zhaoji, etc. became new stars in the poetry circle.



Zhu Ziqing went to Bisezhai to see off the students

Southwest Associated University Emblem