Ruijin Red Well

Ruijin Red Well

The Ruijin Red Well is a classic site for red tourism.

The Red Well is located in Shazhouba, Ruijin. It was dug in 1933. In 1950, to welcome the arrival of the Central Southern Old Revolutionary Base Visiting Group, the people of Ruijin renovated the well and named it the “Red Well.” A wooden sign was also erected beside the well, inscribed with the words: “Never forget those who dug the well when drinking water; always think of Chairman Mao.” This was meant to show the people of Shazhouba’s nostalgia and gratitude toward Chairman Mao. Later, the wooden sign was changed to a stone stele. It is the well dug by Chairman Mao to dispel superstitions and is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

There is a text in the first volume of primary school Chinese textbooks called “Never Forget Those Who Dug the Well When Drinking Water,” which tells the story of the Red Well in Shazhouba, Ruijin. There is also a song titled “Red Well Water,” which once became popular across the country. The Red Well is a testament to the deep bond between the Party, the Red Army, and the people of the Soviet Area. The water from the Red Well is water of happiness.

Shazhouba was a village suffering from drought and water scarcity. At that time, villagers were very superstitious and believed that digging a well would damage the local feng shui, so no villager dared to dig one on their own. Normally, residents had to carry water from a small river several kilometers away, and during busy farming seasons, they could only fetch dirty pond water from in front of the village. Outsiders said: “Shazhouba, Shazhouba, no rain for three days and you can’t even wash your handkerchief. Drought kills mice and thirst kills frogs; don’t marry your daughter to Shazhouba.” In April 1933, after the Provisional Central Government moved from Ye Ping to Shazhouba, Chairman Mao lived in this village. After discovering the villagers’ difficulty in accessing drinking water, he convened a villagers' meeting to address the issue. Many villagers said at the meeting: “This place can’t have a well dug; digging will bring retribution. Even if we dig, we might not get any water. This place is a drought dragon.” Hearing this, Chairman Mao laughed heartily and said: “Superstition is not to be believed. I will dig this well myself.”

One day in September, Chairman Mao led a few Red Army soldiers to conduct water source exploration several dozen meters in front of the village and began digging. Seeing Chairman Mao personally involved in digging the well, the villagers also came forward with tools to help. When they dug to a depth of five meters, a spring gushed out. Eventually, the well was completed and lined with cobblestones. Afterward, other villagers in Shazhouba also started digging wells, and the villagers’ drinking water problem was finally resolved.

In 1950, to welcome the arrival of the Central Southern Old Revolutionary Base Visiting Group, the people of Ruijin renovated the well and named it the “Red Well.” A wooden sign was also erected beside the well, inscribed with the words: “Never forget those who dug the well when drinking water; always think of Chairman Mao.” This was meant to show the people of Shazhouba’s nostalgia and gratitude toward Chairman Mao. Later, the wooden sign was changed to a stone stele. On March 4, 1961, the well was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council. Today, the people of Shazhouba carry forward the spirit of digging wells from back then — building reservoirs, constructing hill ponds, drilling motorized wells, and focusing heavily on “water.” They have not only solved problems with domestic and irrigation water but also used high-quality groundwater to develop aquaculture and establish bottled water plants. Through relentless effort, they transformed what was once a poor and backward area into a prosperous land of fish and rice. People no longer come to the Red Well to fetch water, but more and more are involved in maintaining it. Every one or two years, the public spontaneously gives the Red Well a thorough cleaning, ensuring that, despite decades of weathering, the water remains sweet and clear. The locals also sing folk songs praising the Party’s good policies and new life: “Shazhouba, Shazhouba, no rain for three months, yet there's water for crops. Bumper harvests bring wealth, and phoenixes flock to Shazhouba.” Let us all take a sip of this Red Well water—it is surely sweet, cool, and intoxicating. This is rare revolutionary holy water, you know. Just as the song “Red Well Water,” which is popular here, goes: “Drink a sip of Red Well water, and your revolutionary direction becomes clear. Drink a sip of Red Well water, and your fighting spirit grows stronger.” I believe that after drinking the Red Well water, you’ll feel more confident and passionate about your life and work. Let’s all take a photo with this Red Well together, so that it and its water remain forever in our hearts.

Address: Northwest corner of the intersection of Qicai Avenue and Jindu Avenue, Shazhouba Town, Ruijin City, Ganzhou

Type: Historical Site

Phone: 0797-2347897

Opening Hours:

8:30-17:00

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