• China's revenue in red tourism totaled $20.3 billion in 2010.
    China's revenue in red tourism totaled $20.3 billion in 2010.
  • A visitor looks at portraits of the Great Helmsman on display at a souvenir store in Shaoshan.
    A visitor looks at portraits of the Great Helmsman on display at a souvenir store in Shaoshan.
  • A Chinese worker adjusts Mao Zedong statues at a factory in Shaoshan.
    A Chinese worker adjusts Mao Zedong statues at a factory in Shaoshan.
  • The residents of Shaoshan make a profitable living from Chairman Mao's legend, having renovated the Great Helmsman's old home, built a memorial museum and dedicated a park to him.
    The residents of Shaoshan make a profitable living from Chairman Mao's legend, having renovated the Great Helmsman's old home, built a memorial museum and dedicated a park to him.
  • A souvenir hawker outside the ‘Water Dripping Cave’ compound, where Chairman Mao stayed briefly for 11 days in 1966 and is thought to have contemplated the start of the Cultural Revolution there.
    A souvenir hawker outside the ‘Water Dripping Cave’ compound, where Chairman Mao stayed briefly for 11 days in 1966 and is thought to have contemplated the start of the Cultural Revolution there.
  • Red tourism involves visiting sites of historical significance to the revolutionary activities of the Communist Party of China. Above, a Chairman Mao statue on display at a factory in Shaoshan.
    Red tourism involves visiting sites of historical significance to the revolutionary activities of the Communist Party of China. Above, a Chairman Mao statue on display at a factory in Shaoshan.
  • Chinese visitors play a card game in a restaurant. Almost every local restaurant services a dish made with smoked meat, and Chairman Mao’s favorite dish: braised pork in brown sauce.
    Chinese visitors play a card game in a restaurant. Almost every local restaurant services a dish made with smoked meat, and Chairman Mao’s favorite dish: braised pork in brown sauce.
  • A view of the grand finale of ‘Mao Zedong Comes from China’, a show based on the former Chinese Communist leader’s life, at an outdoor theater in Shaoshan.
    A view of the grand finale of ‘Mao Zedong Comes from China’, a show based on the former Chinese Communist leader’s life, at an outdoor theater in Shaoshan.
  • A four-metre tall Mao Zedong statue overlooks a farmland in Shaoshan.
    A four-metre tall Mao Zedong statue overlooks a farmland in Shaoshan.
  • Chinese sculptor Tian Yongjun,a bove, has been making Chairman Mao statues for over 20 years.
    Chinese sculptor Tian Yongjun,a bove, has been making Chairman Mao statues for over 20 years.

Travel and Tourism

Chairman Mao’s birthplace is centrepiece of China’s red tourism – in pictures

Robert Mickelson

May 04, 2016

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The small town of Shaoshan in Hunan province is China’s showpiece for red tourism. The birthplace of chairman Mao, millions of visitors flock annually to its seven tourist areas with 82 tourist spots. All photos by How Hwee Young / EPA.

China