Red City Tourism Guide Series. Shaoshan

Author: Xiangtan Tourism Bureau
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: This series of books takes red tourism cities with a glorious revolutionary tradition and significant influence in the history of the Chinese revolution as its subject. It focuses on revolutionary memorials, historical artifacts, historical figures, and the revolutionary spirit they embody to showcase the red tourism resources of these cities and their surrounding areas. The aim is to guide readers in comprehensively understanding the history and revolutionary essence of these red tourism cities, as well as to provide a scientific approach to visiting them. Shaoshan, belonging to Xiangtan City, is 40 kilometers away from Xiangtan and 100 kilometers from Changsha. The Shaoshan Scenic Area covers an area of approximately 70 square kilometers. Legend has it that the ancient king Shun once played the "Sha Music" here, hence the name. This is a place of beautiful mountains and clear waters, long isolated from the outside world and considered a paradise until modern times. The great leader Mao Zedong was born here and spent his youth in this area. Shaoshan is one of the 72 peaks of the Southern Mountain (Nan Yue), surrounded by mountains, with towering peaks, lush pines and cedars, and a magnificent landscape. It is said that the ridges of the mountains here hide a "dragon vein" (the ridges indeed resemble the backbone of a dragon), and as a child, Mao Zedong often herded cattle in the mountains. In 1994, Shaoshan was designated as a national key scenic area. It was also recognized as a national youth revolutionary tradition education base. Shaoshan preserves many traces of Mao Zedong's youth, including his studies, daily life, and revolutionary activities. Today, Shaoshan Town features the Mao Zedong Birthplace, the tombs of his parents, the Mao Family Ancestral Hall, the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, Nanzhan (where Mao Zedong studied as a child), and other places of historical interest for visitors to admire. Additionally, the Drip Water Cave scenic area is a must-visit. Furthermore, the Shaoshan Scenic Area also includes attractions such as Shaofeng's Verdant Peaks, Fairy Maiden's Hermitage, Stone House's Breezes, Meteorite Gate, and the Cinnabar Spring Well, as well as many precious ancient trees and famous trees.