The First Regiment of Reclamation

　　Introduction　　The First Regiment of Reclamation is located on the northern foothills of Hongshan, west bank of the Manas River in Shihezi. This area was originally the site of a reclamation regiment from the 1950s, where remnants of the pioneering era such as underground dugouts, rammed-earth kitchens, and water storage ponds have been preserved. There are also farming tools and daily necessities from that time, including wooden-wheeled ox carts, wooden plows, and stone mills. From 2002 to 2003, the 152nd Regiment of the Eighth Agricultural Division invested over 3 million yuan to build a participatory tourist attraction on the original site, named “The First Regiment of Reclamation.” It includes features such as a colorful gate in the shape of the first plow of reclamation, reconstructed dugouts, a threshing ground, a shooting range, and a ski slope.

　　This site serves not only as a leisure and vacation destination but also as a base for patriotic education and national defense education. It is an ideal place to promote the spirit of Shihezi, the Corps spirit, and the spirit of reclamation. Visitors can not only experience the hardships faced by pioneers fifty years ago, but also feel a strong contrast—and impact—when compared to modern life.

　　 Shihezi, Xinjiang