Chen Yun Memorial
陈云纪念馆
Address: 3516 Laozhufeng Road, Liantang town, Qingpu district, Shanghai
Website: www.cyjng.net
Hours: 9:00 - 16:30 (No entry after 16:00)
Closed Mondays (except for national holidays)
E-mail: cyjng@126.com
General admission: free (passport required for entry)
Chen Yun (1905-1995) was one of China’s major political leaders during and after the Chinese Civil War along with Mao Zedong (1893-1976), Liu Shaoqi (1898-1969), Zhou Enlai (1898-1976), Zhu De (1886-1976), and Ren Bishi (1904-50), a core member both of the first generation of the Chinese central leading group led by Mao Zedong and the second generation of the Chinese central leading group led by Deng Xiaoping (1904-97).Chen played a significant role in China’s economic recovery and development. The Chen Yun Memorial, built on the original sites of Chen Yun’s former residence and the Qingpu Revolutionary History Museum, honors and commemorates this respected leader of China.
Set on 3.47 hectares, the memorial is constituted of a square where a bronze statue of Chen Yun stands, a main building, an exhibition hall to display items from Chen’s life, Chen’s former residence, a corridor to display Chen’s handwriting, and a novelty street featuring various creative cultural product stores and restaurants.
The main building is designed around a central axis, its facade is decorated with white stones and its eaves with tiles decorated with inlaid patterns. The design combines the traditional style of residences in the Jiangnan area and modern style, reproducing the living environment of Chen’s childhood and adolescence.
The exhibits at the memorial give visitors a peek into Chen’s life, including a recreation of his office and bedroom, old photographs, clothes, office supplies, books, reading notes, letters to friends and family, a pipa (a plucked Chinese string instrument), a camera, and examples of his handwriting.