Live Your Best Lives
Walk through the reconstructed academy buildings and classrooms to experience how student life was; Visit the Sun Yat-sen memorial room and related exhibition halls; Explore monuments and forts on Changzhou Island (Baihegang Fort, Dapodi Fort) inside the site; Read the display panels about the Northern Expedition, the role of Whampoa alumni in China’s modern history; Photograph the historic architecture and leafy campus ambiance; Join a guided tour to hear stories of alumni and revolutionary history.
The former site of the Whampoa Military Academy, located on Changzhou Island in Huangpu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, was originally home to the Qing Dynasty's Army Primary School and Naval School. On June 16, 1924, Sun Yat-sen, with the assistance of Soviet advisors, founded the school to train military officers. It was named the "Kuomintang Army Officer School," later renamed the "Republic of China Army Officer School," a position it still holds today. The academy, a gathering of talented individuals and renowned generals, holds significant significance in modern Chinese and military history. In 1988, the site was designated a national cultural relic protection site.
One of the four largest military academies in world history, the academy held seven sessions on Changzhou Island before relocating to Nanjing in 1930, and later to Chengdu and Taiwan. Destroyed by Japanese bombing in 1938, it was not until extensive restoration in 1964 that it was largely restored to its original state. The current Whampoa Military Academy Memorial Hall reflects the 1996 reconstruction.
The entire site boasts Republican-era architecture, with key attractions including the main campus, Sun Yat-sen's former residence, the Eastern Expedition Martyrs Cemetery, the Northern Expedition Memorial, and the Dapodi Fort. Free guided tours are offered in front of the main entrance of the Whampoa Military Academy on opening days at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. These tours offer a comprehensive history of the academy.
09:00-17:00 (Tuesday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Tips:
Closed on Mondays (except statutory holidays and special circumstances)
The Whampoa (Huangpu) Military Academy was founded in 1924 by Sun Yat-sen (with support from the Soviet Union and cooperation between the KMT and the Communist Party) to train military and political officers. It became a central institution in modern Chinese revolutionary and military history; many prominent generals and leaders were Whampoa alumni. In 1927, the KMT leadership purged Communist elements from Whampoa during the ideological split. The original site was later destroyed; the current memorial hall and site reconstructions preserve the history and legacy.
The site is on Changzhou Island (长洲岛) in the Huangpu District of Guangzhou. Address: No. 170, Junxiao / Junzhou Road, Changzhou Island, Huangpu District. Transportation options:
The Memorial Hall is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays. Last admission is usually around 4:30 PM. Best visiting times are mornings or weekdays to avoid crowds.
The site charges RMB 15 for admission. Some sources say admission is free with ID card registration. Tickets are typically purchased on site (offline) at the memorial hall.
Some sources suggest registration or booking may be needed (phone reservation or ID registration). But for many visitors, walk-in with ID works.
About 2 to 3 hours is typical to see the main exhibition halls, experimental rooms, grounds and take photos. If you want to explore more deeply or combine with walking around Changzhou Island, allow more time.
The reconstructed academy headquarters and classrooms; Sun Yat-sen memorial room and his artifacts; The Northern Expedition Monument; Tombs or memorials for martyrs; Fortifications such as Baihegang Fort, Dapodi Fort included in the site.
I did not find explicit details about audio guides. Often guided tours (in Chinese or bilingual) are available for groups to explain historical context.
The entrance gate and facade of the reconstructed buildings; Exhibition hall interiors showing original rooms; Outdoor courtyards framed by foliage; Vista from Changzhou Island paths showing the campus in context with river and city.
Start at the main gate, walk into the central hall area, proceed through classrooms and exhibition halls, then visit memorial rooms and monuments, then stroll outdoor grounds and fortifications.
There is no evidence of formal night visits or light shows. The site is a daytime museum, so visits are limited to opening hours.
It can attract many school groups and tourists on weekends and holidays. The least crowded times are weekday mornings or off-peak seasons.
The memorial hall includes exhibition spaces, rest areas, toilets. There is a souvenir shop within or near the site. Nearby on Changzhou Island and at ferry piers there are small eateries or snack stalls.
The site includes indoor museum halls and pathways that are manageable for most visitors. Some areas (old stairs, fortifications) may be less accessible for those with limited mobility.
At the memorial hall, card or mobile payments are likely accepted for purchases in the gift shop. For ferry and bus, mobile payments (WeChat Pay / Alipay) are commonly accepted in Guangzhou. Cash is useful for small vendors.
Near the ferry piers and on Changzhou Island, there are local restaurants and snack shops. In nearby Huangpu District or along the route from Guangzhou city, many dining options exist.
Since Guangzhou is a major city, vegetarian options are common; near the site local eateries may offer vegetarian dishes. Halal options might require locating Muslim-friendly restaurants in the larger area, not necessarily at the site.
There are hotels in Huangpu District or in Guangzhou city center; some hotels are near the ferry piers for easier access to the museum. Staying in central Guangzhou or Haizhu is common, then traveling to Whampoa for a half-day.
Shawan Ancient Town; Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou; Lingnan gardens and parks in Huangpu; Riverside walks and Changzhou Island scenic paths.
Yes, there is a souvenir shop in or near the memorial hall. Typical souvenirs include military memorabilia, books, model items, postcards, themed handicrafts.
After exploring, return by ferry + bus or taxi to Guangzhou city. From Huangpu or Haizhu districts, you can connect to metro lines or long-distance transport to next destination.
