An educational initiative in Shaoshan, Hunan province, is immersing Chinese students in the revolutionary history and development of the country by retracing the youth of Chairman Mao Zedong. Launched in April 2023, the My Shaoshan Tour has attracted 1.2 million visits from teachers and students seeking to engage with Mao’s legacy through interactive and technologically enhanced experiences.
On April 28, amid light drizzle, students gathered at Shaoshan School for an ideological and political lesson that included a reenactment featuring an actor portraying Mao’s former teacher, Mao Yuju, who recounted the chairman’s early school days more than a century ago. The program aims to create an immersive learning environment that allows participants to connect with Mao’s youthful aspirations and life experiences.
Shaoshan, Mao’s hometown where he lived and studied, draws over 10 million tourists annually, many of them teenagers. The town is a focal point for Red culture tourism, blending historical sites such as Mao’s former residence and the Shaoshan Mao Zedong Memorial Museum with modern educational methods. Alongside the lessons, students witnessed The Most Memorable Shaoshan performance, a technologically sophisticated production featuring an expansive LED stage and an 8K ultra-high-definition screen, which dramatizes revolutionary stories using 3D visuals and interactive elements.
Seventeen-year-old student Yao Honghao described the performance as “breathtaking,” highlighting a scene portraying a female revolutionary warrior’s emotional farewell as particularly impactful. Students participating in the two-day tour also explored the Shaoshan Military Expo Park, Shaoshan School, and local museums. The program is offered free of charge, providing transportation, accommodation, and meals, thereby enabling students to focus fully on their Red education without financial concerns.
The innovative approach to ideological teaching incorporates digital technology, such as virtual presenters and holographic displays. For example, at the Mao Zedong Memorial Museum, a 3D holographic presentation details the 73 patches on Mao’s extensively mended nightgown, symbolizing his simplicity and frugality. Students engage in virtual dialogues with a teenage Mao, deepening their understanding of his character and motivations.
Pang Yang, director of ideological and political education research in Shaoshan, emphasized the program’s evolution from its pilot stage to the current fourth version, noting the integration of 76 classical Red scenic spots with small-scale classrooms and social learning contexts. This multidisciplinary approach seeks to modernize Red education, matching students’ interests and developmental stages to foster empathy and inspire personal ambition.
Complementing the historical lessons, visits to local industrial sites such as SANY Renewable Energy’s lighthouse factories expose students to China’s advancements in intelligent manufacturing and new energy technologies. Additionally, tours of Shaoshan Railway Station showcase the country’s transportation evolution from steam locomotives to high-speed trains, linking revolutionary history with contemporary progress.
The My Shaoshan Tour reflects a broader effort to revitalize Red education through multimedia storytelling and direct experience, aiming to cultivate patriotism and reinforce national defense awareness. Students participate in activities such as simulated shooting and grenade throwing, enhancing their engagement with national history and defense topics.
Through a combination of immersive performances, technology-driven exhibits, and hands-on experiences, this program endeavors to make the legacy of Chairman Mao and China’s revolutionary past relevant and inspiring for today’s youth.