Yili Lin Zexu Memorial Hall

📍 Location: 885 Fuzhou Road, Yining City, Yili Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

📜 Historical Background
The Yili Lin Zexu Memorial Hall, originally one of the sites of the Qing Dynasty Yili General's Mansion, was the residence and office of Lin Zexu during his exile to Yili in the 22nd year of Daoguang (1842). As a renowned national hero in the modern history of China, Lin Zexu remained concerned with state affairs during his garrison service, overseeing the construction of irrigation systems and the promotion of agriculture, leaving behind a legacy of "eternal merit." The museum focuses on this core, systematically showcasing his spirit and historical contributions during his years of exile.

🏛️ Architecture and Layout
The museum is reconstructed in the style of Qing Dynasty official buildings, with the main structures including the forecourt, hall, backyard, and exhibition rooms. The buildings are constructed with grey bricks and tiles, with carved beams and painted eaves, combining the characteristics of the northwestern frontier style and central plains official architecture. The courtyard is planted with ancient elm trees, witnessing a century of vicissitudes. The entire museum covers an area of approximately 3,000 square meters and is a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

🖼️ Cultural Relics and Exhibitions
The museum houses over a hundred artifacts and documents, including a facsimile of Lin Zexu's handwritten "Record of Horseback Travel," a plaque with his own calligraphy "Open and Generous Heart," models of the tools used for channeling water in those years, and Qing Dynasty maps of the frontier. The permanent exhibition, centered around "The Burning of Opium at Humen, Exile to Yili, and Governing Water and People," presents Lin Zexu's patriotic sentiment "whether it be life or death, it is for the country" through various forms such as pictures, sand tables, and multimedia.

🌟 Cultural Value
The museum not only serves as an important material carrier of Lin Zexu's spirit but also witnesses the historical process of frontier governance and ethnic integration during the Qing Dynasty. It is a precious material resource for studying the modern history of China, the history of northwest development, and the culture of integrity, holding high historical, educational, and artistic value.

🎟️ Tourist Information

• Opening Hours: 9:00–18:00 (closed on Mondays and public holidays)
• Admission: Free
• Recommended Visiting Duration: 60–90 minutes
• Transportation: Take Yining City Bus Routes 1 and 10 to the "Lin Zexu Memorial Hall Stop" and alight there

🌿 Standing in front of the museum's forecourt, one can almost hear the echoes of history—a great man writing the eternal chapter of loyalty and responsibility in the desolate desert of the frontier.