【New Yunnan Notes】 Commemorating the “Veterans” of the Yunnan Uprising and Peaceful Liberation at Lu Han Mansion

Number of days: 4 days
Time: February
Updated: 2025.04.08

[New Yunnan Notes] Lu Han Mansion: Commemorating the "Veteran" of the Yunnan Uprising and Peaceful Liberation

Leaving Zhu De's former residence, I followed my navigation system and intended to revisit Yunnan University, where I had visited ten years prior. Along the way, a striking yellow building caught my eye. A sign at the entrance read "Kunming Lu's Mansion." Curious, I decided to explore.

Located southeast of Cuihu Lake, surrounded by lush greenery, the Lu Han Residence stands a unique French-style building. This is the residence of Lu Han, a renowned anti-Japanese patriotic general, leader of the Yunnan Uprising, and former Chairman of the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Located at 4 Cuihu South Road, this new residence is also known as the Lu Han New Residence, as it was built adjacent to Lu Han's former residence on Qinglian Street.

Built in the 1930s, this French-style brick and stone structure is one of the best-preserved examples in Kunming. The two-story building is octagonal in shape, constructed with brick walls and a wooden roof frame, with portions of reinforced concrete. The steeply sloping, flat-tiled roof, with equilateral triangular sides, embodies the unique charm of the Gothic style. Exquisite reliefs can be found throughout the stone components, including pillars, door and window frames. The walls and windows cleverly utilize geometric composition, creating a simple, vibrant, and varied aesthetic that showcases a unique formal beauty.

Entering the mansion, the living room fireplace exudes a warm atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling doors and windows in the master and secondary bedrooms and dining room connect to the balcony, while the trihedron-shaped bay windows on the east and west sides are ingeniously designed. The red tiles and white walls, with gray borders, create a harmonious and beautiful color palette. Adding to the exquisite decor are the high-quality leather sofas imported from France, the large-scale printed vintage curtains, and the magnificent and noble crystal chandeliers. Every detail is meticulously crafted, showcasing the mansion's luxurious atmosphere and unique charm. Even the wood, made of teak imported from the Philippines, and the windowpanes, made of stained glass from France, retain their luxurious style despite the passage of time.

Follow the path through the house and come to the back of the mansion. There are lush green plants, and the breeze blows, the leaves rustle, and there is a unique tranquil beauty.

Today, this elegant mansion, with its bright yellow exterior, stands quietly. Those unfamiliar with it find it hard to imagine the turbulent historical events it witnessed. On December 9, 1949, to deceive Chiang Kai-shek's military and political leaders and spies planted in Kunming, Lu Han, under the pretext of holding an important military meeting, detained Zhang Qun, head of the Southwest Headquarters Office; Li Mi, commander of the Eighth Army; Yu Chengwan, commander of the 26th Army; and other key military and political figures within the mansion. He then urged all parties to revolt. With the strong support of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Yunnan achieved a peaceful uprising throughout the province, completely thwarting Chiang Kai-shek's plot to establish an anti-communist base there and making outstanding contributions to the liberation of Southwest China.

To commemorate this significant historical event, the "Yunnan Uprising Memorial Hall" has been established in Lu Han's restored former residence, the Lu Han Mansion. The museum vividly displays the arduous process of Lu Han's meticulous preparation for the Yunnan Uprising, as well as his arduous and complex struggle with the Kuomintang reactionaries, fully demonstrating his noble spirit of self-sacrifice for the people, his wit and courage.

Leaving Lu Han's mansion, I continued on to Yunnan University, where I could see the white plaque with red characters from afar.

Ten years later, I took another photo of the Yunnan University gate and 95 steps. However, the sign at the door read "Today's appointments are full, please come back another day." I pleaded with the security guard, explaining that I was a tourist from out of town, but still couldn't get in. The security guard said helplessly, "That's not my decision. If it were my place, I'd definitely let you in." In the end, I could only take a photo of the 95 steps and return to the hotel with a hint of regret.