Shaoshan

Background

Shaoshan is a county-level city administered by Xiangtan, Hunan; Mao Zedong's former residence stands at Shangwuchang in Tuchong, Shaoshan Village, Shaoshan Township. The residence is a U-shaped farmhouse of earth and timber facing north: the Mao family lived in the east side, neighbors in the west, and the two households shared the central hall. The house was first built by Mao's grandfather in 1878. Beyond the yard in front are two connected ponds, one of them the Nan'an Pond. Nearby are the bronze statue on Mao Zedong Square, the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the Mao clan ancestral hall and Dishui Cave. Shaofeng, Shaoshan's highest peak, is counted among the 72 peaks of Mount Heng. Mao was born here in 1893 and lived here for about 17 years. In 1925 he returned with Yang Kaihui, set up a Communist Party branch in the house and organized peasants; in 1927 he came back again to investigate the peasant movement. In 1961 the State Council listed the residence as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level, and in 1997 it was named a national patriotic education base. The rooms, including the bedroom, his parents' bedroom and the kitchen, display original household items.

Local customs

• Start at Mao Zedong Square to see the bronze statue, then tour the rooms of the former residence, including the bedroom, the kitchen and the farm tools
• learn about Mao's life at the memorial hall
• in the afternoon, visit the Dishui Cave area for its wooded hills and water.

Travel tips

• The core sights take about a day. Most are free but require advance real-name booking and valid ID
• for booking procedures, follow the official announcements. Shuttle buses run between the sights. The former residence is very busy, so avoid peak times and check closing hours.
• Take a high-speed train to Shaoshan South Station, then a shuttle or bus to the visitor center
• from Changsha it is about 1.5 hours by car, and drivers should park where directed. Every season works: in summer lotus flowers bloom in the ponds in front of the house, and in autumn the rice fields turn gold. Crowds peak around the Qingming Festival and major anniversaries, so book ahead.