Yangtze River Crossing Campaign Memorial Park by ADINJU Atelier Zhouling

Historical Context and Significance

The Yangtze River Crossing Campaign Memorial Park commemorates a pivotal moment in Chinese history. Located along the lower Yangtze River in Nanjing, opposite Qixia Mountain, at the estuary of the Hua-Zikou River in Longpao New City, this site marks the April 21, 1949 crossing of the Yangtze River by the People's Liberation Army's 34th Army. Their successful landing at Qixia played a key role in China's revolutionary history.

In 2020, to honor the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Longpao administration initiated construction of the memorial park to both commemorate the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign and provide a cultural and recreational space for local residents.

Design Concept and Site Layout

Spanning 4.4 acres, the park integrates a memorial hall, an iconic tower, and landscaped areas. The Memorial Hall, covering 2,610 m² with a total building area of 3,690 m², houses:

• Historical displays
• Thematic exhibitions
• Red culture education
• Interactive participation zones
• Leisure and office spaces

The second-floor cantilevered area rises 14.8 meters, offering panoramic views of Qixia Mountain and the Yangtze River. Adjacent to the west, a 49.421-meter-tall tower aligns with the Yangtze River’s Fourth Bridge, symbolizing the victory of the historic river crossing.

Architectural Strategy: "Landscraper" Design

The park utilizes the site's natural elevation differences to create functional zones. By raising, cutting, and subsiding the terrain, architects designed a dynamic landscape that integrates the park's:

• Reeds
• Bandstand
• Sculptures
• Memorial hall

The memorial hall employs a "landscraper" approach, gradually rising from the ground to mimic the flow of the river. The building’s shape resembles a wooden boat sailing toward Qixia Mountain, symbolizing victory, renewal, and the people's perseverance. This design references General Xi’s remark highlighting the success of small boats in the campaign.

Keywords: landscraper design, terrain integration, symbolic architecture, Nanjing cultural site

Visitor Experience and Spatial Narrative

Upon entering the memorial hall, visitors experience:

1. A grand lobby and prelude hall beneath a striking triangular skylight
2. Primary exhibition space, recreating historical wartime scenarios
3. Red culture thematic hall on the cantilevered second floor, with sweeping views of the river and Qixia Mountain
4. Interactive virtual exhibition, concluding the narrative journey

The architectural design guides visitors through a time-based narrative, reflecting preparation, river crossing, victory, and commemoration. Natural light, shadows, and views of the Yangtze River at sunset enhance the storytelling, blending historical reflection with immersive spatial experience.

The Yangtze River Crossing Campaign Memorial Park exemplifies the fusion of historical commemoration, cultural education, and landscape-driven architecture. With its carefully orchestrated elevations, iconic tower, and immersive exhibition design, the park stands as a testament to China’s revolutionary history while offering a modern recreational and educational environment.

All Photographs are works of  Bowen Hou