Leifeng Memorial Museum, Chinese: 雷锋纪念馆, Pinyin: Leifeng Jinianguan
Picture of Leifeng Memorial Museum
Lei Feng (1940-1962) was a communist soldier and revolutionary who was born and raised in Hunan.
Lei Feng (1940-1962) was a communist soldier and revolutionary who was born and raised in Hunan's Wancheng County, northwestern part of Changsha City. Lei Feng's grandmother was worked into her grave by unscrupulous, feudalistic landlords and his father was killed by Japanese soldiers in World War II. The man himself was killed, merely 22 years old, allegedly, and rather unheroically, run over by a truck. It was not until the year after his death, and in an exceptionally projected publicity stunt, that the soldier was to be venerated, with the Party proclaiming a whole host of feats that this altruistic soldier performed, mainly originating from the diaries that he was said to have kept.
Following his beliefs from the popular anthem "Without the Communist Party, there would be no New China", Lei is said to have layed down his life for the cause, helping poorly peasants and aged citizens, sacrificing meals and his life for his comrades, and bravely fighting against all forms of oppression, from both fellow Chinese and the Japanese.
Picture of Leifeng Memorial Museum
Lei Feng Memorial Museum (Leifeng jinianguan) is in its expose of the propagandorial nature of the early Communist Party. There are photos here of Lei in various altruistic positions, and posters displaying his courage and selflessness to others. The museum is unfortunately located out of town, but is possibly worth the trip if you have time on your hands.
How to get there: Take bus No.12 in Changsha City to the terminus. Then catch a minibus No.15 to the terminus. The Museum is a short walk north from here.
Cost: RMB4 entrance fee