Yunnan University celebrates its history with virtual tour

The "100 Universities Museum Exhibition Tour" stopped at Yunnan University on March 14, offering an online tour that attracted over 420,000 viewers.

Netizens explored the university's history museum and iconic cultural landmarks like Zhigong Hall and Huize Academy, unveiling the rich legacy and enduring spirit of this century-old institution.

Li Huaiyu, director of Yunnan University's Archives and History Research Office, alongside five student docents, guided the audience through historical artifacts, architectural stories, and notable alumni legacies.

Yunnan University's History Museum consists of a main exhibition hall and two specialized galleries. The main hall features over 700 photographs and 500 exhibits, presenting the university's century-long journey and academic achievements.

Li shared that the university traces its roots back to 1923 when its predecessor, Donglu University, was established at the site of Zhigong Hall, pioneering modern higher education in Southwest China.

Student docent Wang Qichen highlighted a significant moment in the university's history: "In 1946, renowned scholar Wen Yiduo delivered his 'Final Speech' here."

During the livestream, Li recounted key milestones in the university's history. In the 1980s, it made groundbreaking advancements in paleontology and ecology. In 2023, during its centennial celebration, the university was recognized as part of China's "first-class universities and disciplines" initiative.

Yunnan University has played a distinctive role in preserving ethnic minority cultures and building a top-tier university in China's border regions. Li cited the university's intangible cultural heritage initiatives, including specialized workshops on purple pottery and the development of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey IP designs, which merge academic research with cultural promotion.

The "100 Universities Museum Exhibition Tour" initiative showcases Chinese universities' rich cultural and historical resources through livestreaming and will continue featuring institutions nationwide.