The value and conservation of the South China Educational History Research Base

During the war period, our cultural and educational institutions were among the targets of destruction and a large number of Chinese institutions were relocated to the south-western region in order to preserve their educational offering. Guangdong, a pioneer in modern China, also had a very prosperous education sector. After the outbreak of the war and the fall of Guangzhou, a large number of these institutions in South China were relocated. This left its mark along the ancient post road of southern Guangdong. The South China Educational History Research Base draws on this history and by preserving and utilising old educational institution sites along the ancient post road, it aims to present history and inspire the current generation. The construction of the research base will help to revitalise the countryside by integrating culture and tourism and generate far-reaching social benefits.

1. What is the South China Educational and History Research Base?

During the War of Resistance against Japanese aggression, secondary and higher education institutions in South China, such as National Sun Yat-sen University, the Guangdong Provincial College of Art and Science, the private Lingnan University, Soochow University and Pei Cheng and Pei Dao Middle School, were relocated to the northern part of Guangdong and endeavoured to continue providing education. These evolved to become Sun Yat-sen University, South China University of Technology, South China Normal University, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Experimental High School, Pui Ching Middle Schools, Soochow University, Lingnan University (Hong Kong), Pooi To Middle School (Macau) and Taiwan Soochow University.

During this period, Xu Chongqing, Jin Cengcheng, Lin Liru, Li Yinglin, Wang Yanan, Guo Dali, Li Da, Ma Sicong, Xu Xingzhi, Xian Yuqing, Fu Luofei, Deng Zhiyi, Zhu Qianzhi and a large number of masters, who later became members of the national academy and academics, persevered in the anti-Japanese war, education, academic research or study despite the challenges. These masters were actively involved in the War of Resistance against Japan, the Chinese Civil War and the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and became pioneers and advocates in many fields, making historic contributions to the development of our country.

In June of 2019, when the Guangdong Provincial Department of Natural Resources called on the Three Masters volunteers to carry out conservation and practical work on the southern Guangdong Ancient Post Road along the Xijing Ancient Road in Shaoguan, the remains of historical sites where institutions such as the National Sun Yat-sen University were run during the War of Resistance were discovered in the area of Pingshi village in Lechang county. This led to the construction of the South China Educational History Research Base.

2. Groundwork for conservation

The South China Educational History Research Base serves the purpose of excavating and investigating historical materials. This is what defines the history and value of the research base and provides the basis for offering academic support for specific construction projects. After the fall of Guangzhou in 1938, National Sun Yat-sen University was relocated to Yunnan and later brought back to Guangdong under the leadership of its then President, Mr Xu Chongqing, to meet the needs of higher education in Guangdong during the war. Finally it was settled in a small village in the mountains of northern Guangdong - Pingshi. As can be seen from a map marking the distribution of educational institutions drawn by Professor Yu Binglie from the Department of Architecture and Engineering at Sun Yat-sen University, the university was huge, including seven colleges and other institutions spread across the mountain villages on both sides of the Wu River. During the war period, the construction of educational institutions in the mountainous areas of northern Guangdong was very basic, and in addition to a large number of village houses and ancestral halls being rented, many simple buildings were built using local timber and bamboo. Today, some of these buildings are in a less favourable state of preservation, such as the former residence of Principal Xu Chongqing and the offices of the Department of Construction and Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering. Even the better preserved buildings are at risk of demolition. As a result, there has been a race against time to register them as listed buildings and restore them.

Based on Professor Yu Binglie’s map of the university, the volunteers from the Three Masters Association carried out extensive research, studied historical materials, carried out fieldwork, visited residents, and meticulously investigated the architectural remains of each of the old educational institution sites. This formed the basis for the design of the research base at Pingshi.

The study of the observatory at Sun Yat-sen University by volunteers from the Three Masters Association helped to preserve its architectural sites. According to historical sources, Sun Yat-sen University built its wartime campus observatory in the mountains after being relocated back to northern Guangdong. However, the exact location of the observatory has not been found as the original buildings did not survive. In late 2019, volunteers from the Three Masters Association fully excavated the building foundations using field surveys and archaeological research. By comparing them with the records of Sun Yat-sen University in the Guangdong Provincial Archives, they were identified as the base site of the wartime observatory. The establishment of the observatory at Sun Yat-sen University during the turbulent and difficult war period is a valuable physical testimony to the perseverance of modern astronomy education in China’s universities. We protected the observatory’s base site by covering it and displaying it in its original state. Around it, we developed additional designs based on historical information in order to facilitate adaptive use.

3. Spatial representation of historical information

The historical changes shown at architectural sites have the power to inspire people. With conservation in mind, it should be further utilised and revitalised in order to tell the story of educational institutions during the war period. One of the key concepts here is the spatial expression of historical information.

When the construction of the Pingshi research base was started, a number of memorial pillars were erected at various old educational institution sites. Not only are they a symbol of the old institutions, the pillars are decorated with porcelain tiles bearing historical information that are visually effective and easy to interpret. Memorial gardens were planned and designed at each of the former institution sites. They combine the conservation of historical remnants with the creation of a public landscape. Besides enhancing the landscape, they also create an open historical museum that can be visited and learned from. The memorial gardens provide excellent conditions for subsequent research and tourism activities.

 The houses on both sides of Pingshi Old Street are surrounded by Jiangjunshan on one side and the Wu River on the other, with a narrow, red sandstone slate road running down the middle. The houses on the side of the river have since been completely demolished and the road hardened due to construction work. Pingshi Old Street was once the central area belonging to the educational institution and should be considered an important component of the research base. As a result, two methods were adopted to display the history of Pingshi Old Street. Firstly, the road surface was dug up to reveal the former red sandstone slate road in its original state. Secondly, conceptual design of the roofed gallery has been presented along the river side, symbolising the houses that once stood here for teachers and students. It not only provides shelter from the wind and rain, but also allows people to read historical information.

4. Using trails to link the research base sites

Geographical, historical and cultural elements are linked along the Pingshi Ancient Post Road to create a rich and three-dimensional heritage trail that unifies the sites of the research base. Wuyangsi is a characteristic village along the ancient post road and was once host to the School of Law of Sun Yat-sen University. The Wuyangsi Village Reading Trail was built along the river and through the bamboo forest, the wharf and the village, where people can browse the old educational institution sites, visit themed exhibitions and experience the first classroom where capitalism was taught in Chinese universities. A poetry and sound trail has also been created. The path is based on the work of renowned musician Mr Ma Sicong and artist Mr Xu Xingzhi. They used to walk along the path in the evenings, talking about music, poetry and painting. The path was named Poetry Road, and we have created a trail that incorporates elements of natural beauty, art and history, along with signage and historical information.

5. Research bases should serve people

The ultimate aim of the research base is to serve people and meet the needs of locals. The Dingyou Library, named after Mr Du Dingyou, a pioneer of librarianship in our country, was opened on Pingshi Old Street. At that time, Mr Du was also the director of the library at Sun Yat-sen University, which was located on the same street, and opened a reading room for the public, with the slogan ‘Knowledge is vital for people’ displayed in the street to encourage local people to come in and read. The reading room was covered in pine needles to create a quiet atmosphere for reading. The Dingyou Library, an old renovated building on Pingshi Old Street, is now not only a place for research activities, but also a place where people from the neighbourhood come to read books whenever they wish to. The research base has also enhanced the quality of public life on Pingshi Old Street, providing residents with more space for social interaction. The South China Educational History Research Base is not a built-up scenic spot, but a place that incorporates history and hosts a vibrant local life.

6. Activities, events and promotions to aid the development of the research base

Since the base was built in 2019, it has welcomed tens of thousands of students from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, offering them themed study tours outlining the history of the educational institution and its ancestors. Popular events such as the Southern Guangdong Ancient Post Road Orienteering Competition and Walking Competition have also been hosted at the base. Participants from both China and abroad passed along the post road, weaving through historic villages and old institution sites along the way. These kinds of events are a wonderful way to fuse history and culture with sporting activities. In addition, social tour groups bring a lot of footfall to the local tourist market.

The research base encourages local people to generate income by selling local products and opening B&Bs. Local people will only be more willing and keen to participate in the construction of the research base if they are able to access tangible benefits.

Media coverage and publicity has also played a big role in the construction of the research base. The history of education in South China during the war period was not well known in the past and far less famous than that of Southwest United University. Media publicity has raised awareness of the South China Educational History Research Base and further expanded the social impact of the conservation and utilisation of the southern Guangdong Ancient Post Road, attracting more people to participate in construction efforts.

The history of upheaval along the ancient post road of southern Guangdong during the war period not only involved the relocation of educational institutions but of a generation of intellectuals and young academics in our country. This experience changed the destiny of our nation and the fate of countless individuals. What flowed along the ancient post road of southern Guangdong was South China’s culture and education, and this helped to bolster the strength of the Chinese nation to stand strong again later on. This highlights the historical value of the Southern Guangdong Post Road during the war period and the reasons why the South China Educational History Research Base sought to revitalise this road. The ultimate aim here is to achieve sustainable development, which requires inherent and sustained impetus. There are many people still living in poverty in the areas along the ancient post road that once supported educational efforts in South China during the war period. It is hoped that the construction of the South China Educational History Research Base will promote the ancient post road and the economic and cultural development of the areas along it, so that they can restore their connection and continue to tell the stories of today and tomorrow.