Cradle of the Republic Scenic Area

　　The Ruijin Cradle of the Republic Scenic Area is situated in Ruijin City, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, spanning more than 4,550 acres. It is composed of four main scenic areas: Yeping, Hongjing, the Second National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic, and the Chinese Soviet Republic Memorial Park (South Park and North Park). It is a national patriotism education demonstration base and also one of China’s classic red tourism destinations. In June 2012, the issuance of the "State Council's Several Opinions on Supporting the Revitalization and Development of Southern Jiangxi and Other Former Central Soviet Areas" provided policy support and a favorable opportunity for the development of red tourism in Ruijin. In July 2015, upon official approval by the National Tourism Administration, the Ruijin Cradle of the Republic Scenic Area became the seventh 5A-level tourist attraction in Jiangxi and the first in Ganzhou.

　　Yeping Scenic Area

　　Located 6 kilometers from downtown Ruijin, this area spans over 160 acres and is one of the best-preserved revolutionary heritage site complexes in China. It includes 22 historic sites and commemorative structures such as the former site of the Central Bureau of the Chinese Soviet, the former site of the Central Government, the Monument to the Revolutionary Martyrs of the Red Army, the Pavilion for Revolutionary Martyrs, the Red Army Review Stand, the Gonglue Pavilion, and the Boxun Fort.

　　Yeping Scenic Area

　　With winding paths leading to serene spots, ancient trees towering overhead, lush greenery all around, and majestic ancestral halls standing proudly, the scenic area boasts one of the country’s most intact clusters of revolutionary heritage sites. It features 22 revolutionary sites and commemorative buildings, 16 of which are National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. These old residences and sites silently recount the glorious chapters written by the Red Capital Ruijin in China’s revolutionary history. The First National Congress of the Chinese Soviet was held here in Yeping, solemnly declaring to the world the establishment of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic, giving birth to the first nationwide red political power, with Comrade Mao Zedong elected as Chairman of the Provisional Central Government. — Here, ancient camphor trees whisper tales of those magnificent times; a sense of empowerment, echoing from afar, fills the air. Here, the red ancestral halls enact the classic transition from old regimes to new governance—a momentous transformation that laid the profound foundation of the Red Capital.

　　Site of the First National Congress of the Chinese Soviet (Former Site of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic): Originally the Xie Family Ancestral Hall, this several-hundred-year-old structure was the birthplace and base of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic from November 1931 to April 1933. On November 7, 1931, the First National Congress of the Chinese Soviet was grandly convened here. Attending the congress were 610 delegates from various Red Army units based in revolutionary bases such as Western Fujian, Northeastern Jiangxi, Hunan-Jiangxi, Hunan-Hubei-Western Hubei, Qiongya, and the Central Soviet Area, as well as from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the National Seamen’s Federation operating in Kuomintang-controlled regions. The Central People’s Government Committee served as the highest administrative body, with nine departments including Foreign Affairs, Military Affairs, Land, Internal Affairs, Finance, Education, Justice, Labor, and Workers’ and Peasants’ Inspection, along with the State Political Security Bureau.

　　Site of the Red China News Agency: The Red China News Agency was the first news organization established by our Party in the revolutionary base areas and was founded during the First National Congress of the Chinese Soviet. Initially, it included a Red China News Radio Station that broadcast news by radio. The building was originally a private residence of the Xie family, built in 1924. The Red China News Agency operated here for over two years before relocating to Shazhouba in April 1933 along with the Provisional Central Government. It was designated as a “Revolutionary Tradition Education Base of Xinhua News Agency” in 1995. This site is a cultural relic protection unit of Ruijin City.

　　Monument to the Revolutionary Martyrs of the Red Army: Situated at the northeast end of the square of the Provisional Central Government, this monument was erected by the government to commemorate Red Army officers and soldiers who sacrificed their lives in various revolutionary wars. Construction began on August 1, 1933, and was completed on January 31, 1934. The monument consists of a five-pointed star-shaped base and a shell-shaped tower, standing 13 meters tall. The base is inlaid with inscriptions from leaders such as Mao Zedong, as well as the monument’s dedication plaque.

　　Other historic residences and sites within the scenic area include: the former site of the Central Bureau of the Chinese Soviet Area, the former site of the Central Foreign Trade Bureau of the Chinese Soviet Republic, the former site of the State Political Security Bureau of the Chinese Soviet Republic, the former site of the Central Post Office of the Chinese Soviet Republic, the former site of the Central Printing Factory of the Chinese Soviet Republic, the Red Army Review Stand, the Gonglue Pavilion, the Boxun Fort, the former site of the National Bank of the Chinese Soviet Republic, the former site of the Red Army Radio Corps, the former site of the Central Publishing Bureau, the former site of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions Executive Bureau in the Soviet Area, and others.

　　Hongjing Scenic Area

　　Located 5 kilometers from downtown, this was the office location of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic from April 1933 to July 1934. Major attractions include the world-famous Hongjing Well, the former site of the Central Executive Committee (Mao Zedong’s former residence), the former site of the Central People’s Government Committee, and the former sites of various central ministries.

　　Nestled against green mountains, embraced by verdant fields, with swaying tree shadows and a tranquil, rustic charm. The scenic area encompasses 35 historic residences and sites, 10 of which are National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. In April 1933, central government agencies moved from Yeping to Shazhouba. The Hongjing Scenic Area features the Hongjing Well personally dug by Mao Zedong for local residents, extensive ministry ruins, and the newly built “Mass Line Square,” all set within a pastoral landscape blooming with flowers year-round. —

　　During the Central Government’s time in Shazhouba, the Soviet cause was flourishing, and it was also a period when Communist Party and Soviet officials led military and civilian personnel in the base area to embark on a series of great practical endeavors and experiments under harsh conditions.

　　Hongjing Scenic Area

　　During his stay here, Chairman Mao carried out a series of efforts in establishing Soviet governance and conducting investigations, laying the ideological foundations later seen in works like “We Must Pay Attention to Economic Work,” “Be Concerned with the Well-Being of the Masses, Pay Attention to Methods of Work,” “Our Economic Policy,” and “How to Analyze the Classes in the Rural Areas.” Each historical site stands as a testament to a political party sharing weal and woe with the people, an awe-inspiring record through the ages.

　　Hongjing Well: Located by a pond about 20 meters southeast of the former site of the Central Executive Committee of the Chinese Soviet Republic in Shazhouba Village. In April 1933, after Mao Zedong moved from Yeping to Shazhouba with the Provisional Central Government, he found the local residents faced severe difficulties accessing clean drinking water. To spare them from drinking dirty pond water, Mao personally investigated and surveyed the underground water sources. One day in September, he led cadres, Red Army soldiers, and local people to dig this well. After the main forces of the Red Army embarked on the Long March, the troops repeatedly tried to fill the well with sand and stones, but the people of Shazhouba fought tenaciously to protect it. In 1950, the people of Ruijin renovated the well in preparation for the visit of the Central Southern Old Revolutionary Base Visiting Group, named it the “Hongjing Well,” and erected a stone tablet beside it with the inscription: “When drinking water, never forget those who dug the well; always remember Chairman Mao.” It is now a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

　　Former Site of the Central Executive Committee (Mao Zedong’s Former Residence): Located at Yuantaiwu (also known as Huatingxia). The Central Executive Committee was initially established in November 1931 during the First National Congress of the Chinese Soviet. It served as the highest authority after the closing of the National Congress of the Chinese Soviet. From April 1933 to July 1934, the Central Executive Committee of the Chinese Soviet Republic was based here; it was also the former residence of Mao Zedong, He Shuheng, Xu Teli, Xie Juezai, and others. The structure is a traditional civilian house. To the southwest of the site stands an ancient camphor tree, under whose shade Mao often read newspapers and chatted with locals. The site was restored and opened to the public in 1963 according to its original appearance and is now a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

　　Other historic residences and sites within the scenic area include: the former site of the Central People’s Government Committee, the former site of the Central Revolutionary Military Commission, the former site of the Central Bureau of the Chinese Soviet Republic, the former site of the Central Bureau of the Chinese Communist Youth League, the former site of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions Executive Bureau in the Soviet Area, the former site of the General Political Department of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army, the former site of the Food Department of the Chinese Soviet Republic, the former site of the Finance Department of the Chinese Soviet Republic, the former site of the Audit Department of the Chinese Soviet Republic, the former site of the Land Department of the Chinese Soviet Republic, and the former site of the National Economy Department of the Chinese Soviet Republic.

　　“Second Congress” Scenic Area

　　Located 5 kilometers from downtown, after the Provisional Central Government moved from Yeping to Shazhouba, the “Second National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic” (Second Congress) was convened here. Major attractions include the Central Government Auditorium, air-raid shelters, the Meiyuan Poetry Mountain, the former site of the Central Revolutionary Museum, the People’s Democracy Square, the former site of the People’s Congress, and the People’s Congress Exhibition Hall.

　　With rustling pine waves, plum blossoms adorning pavilions, winding paths leading to secluded spots, and a solemn auditorium, the scenic area lies 1.5 kilometers northwest of the city in Shazhouba. It features the Central Government Auditorium of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic. With its unique design, the auditorium resembles an eight-cornered Red Army cap when viewed from above. Known as the predecessor of the Beijing Great Hall of the People, it is also an iconic structure of the Soviet era. The Second National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic was held here, where the national flag, emblem, and military flag were established. Next to the auditorium is an air-raid shelter that could accommodate over 2,000 people. The scenic area also includes new attractions such as the Meiyuan Poetry Mountain. —

　　Second Congress Scenic Area

　　Central Government Auditorium: Facing south, the auditorium covers an area of 1,500 square meters and features an eight-cornered design that, when viewed from the sky, looks like an eight-cornered Red Army cap. Above the entrance are 14 large characters reading “Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic,” calligraphed by Huang Yaguang, known as the “Soviet Literatus.” The auditorium has two floors, with a corridor-style upper floor and stepped seating. The lower floor is semi-circular, and the entire hall can accommodate over 2,000 people. From January 21 to February 1, 1934, the Second National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic was grandly convened here. There were 693 official delegates, 83 alternate delegates, and 1,500 observers. Mao Zedong delivered the opening speech. During the congress, delegates heard reports from the Central Executive Committee and the People’s Government Committee on their work over the past two years. Two essays in the first volume of Selected Works of Mao Zedong—“Be Concerned with the Well-Being of the Masses, Pay Attention to Methods of Work” and “Our Economic Policy”—were excerpted from this report.

　　Air-Raid Shelter: Built in 1933, this shelter had complete protective measures and is considered an early model in the history of civil air defense in the Republic. Taking advantage of the terrain, it was constructed with sturdy pine wood and compacted earth, capable of holding 2,000 people. It featured lighting, ventilation, and drainage systems, with a scientifically sound and secure design that offered concealment, stability, convenience, and safety. During meetings in the auditorium, in case of bombings by enemy aircraft, attendees could quickly evacuate to the shelter, ensuring their safety. In October 1934, after the Long March of the Red Army’s main forces, the shelter was buried by the troops. In 2005, the National Civil Air Defense Office, Jiangxi Provincial Civil Air Defense Office, and national and provincial cultural relics bureaus allocated special funds to renovate and reopen the shelter.

　　Former Site of the Central Revolutionary Museum: This was the first national museum established under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. It was a typical Jiangnan-style civilian home, with the front room serving as the staff office and other rooms functioning as exhibition halls. Compared to modern museums, this one was extremely simple.

　　Meiyuan Poetry Mountain: This project is located in the Laochatting Group of Guanshan Village, Shazhouba Town, and is an expansion of the “Second Congress” Scenic Area. Covering 144 acres, it includes a visitor service center, parking lot, small plaza, gateway building, battery cart lane, pedestrian paths, and poetry stele corridor.

　　Chinese Soviet Republic Memorial Park Scenic Area

　　Located at the Xiashisi Temple in the western part of the urban area, the memorial park has a total investment of 200 million yuan. Adjacent to the Historical Memorial of the Chinese Soviet Republic, it covers an area of 1,000 mu and is divided into five sections: the Central Soviet Area Revolutionary Memorial Zone, Provincial Soviet Area Revolutionary Memorial Zones, Red Leisure Memorial Zone, and others.

　　With lofty views, a jade-like river winding through, lush greenery, and ancient towers standing tall, the scenic area is located on the western side of the city and is divided into the South Park and the North Park. The South Park mainly features the Ruijin Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall, the Red Army Martyrs Pavilion, the statue of Mao Zetan, the riverside landscape area, and the Longzhu Tower. The North Park is a large-scale red tourism park integrating revolutionary tradition education and experiential scenarios, covering an area of 400 mu. It includes the Museum of the History of the Central Revolutionary Base, the Red Star Music Square, bronze inscriptions of the Soviet Spirit, the Monument to the Chinese Soviet Republic, the Forest of 100 Counties from Four Provinces, as well as thirteen sculpture landscapes representing various Soviet areas such as the Central Soviet Area, Xianggan Soviet Area, Xiang-E-Gan Soviet Area, Min-Zhe-Gan Soviet Area, E-Yu-Wan Soviet Area, Chuan-Shan Soviet Area, Xiang-E-Xi Soviet Area, Xiang-E-Chuan-Qian Soviet Area, Qiong Ya Soviet Area, Guangxi Zuoyoujiang Soviet Area, Mindong Soviet Area, Northwest Soviet Area, and E-Yu-Shan Soviet Area. The Red Star sculpture and the Monument to the Chinese Soviet Republic are situated atop two hill summits, highlighting the unique historical status of the Red Capital, Ruijin.

　　Ruijin Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Hall: The memorial hall covers an area of 60,000 m², with an exhibition building area of

　　South Park of the Memorial Park

　　3,320 m² and an exhibition line stretching 327 meters. It is divided into a lobby, a memorial hall, exhibition rooms 1–5, and rest areas. The hall houses a list of 17,394 martyrs, displays portraits, relics, and life stories of over 100 notable martyrs and generals, commemorating their heroism, honoring their loyalty, and educating future generations. Since reopening in April 1986, nearly 2 million domestic and international visitors have come to pay tribute, lay wreaths or flowers, and receive revolutionary tradition education in reverence for the revolutionary leaders and martyrs.

　　Longzhu Tower: Situated about 3,000 meters southwest of downtown Ruijin, beside the Mianjiang River. The tower gave rise to the temple, and the temple gave its name to the locality — the historical place name “Xiashisi Temple” has been in use ever since. Longzhu Tower is a typical water-mouth tower in Ruijin and serves as an important city landmark.

　　Museum of the History of the Central Revolutionary Base: Located within the Chinese Soviet Republic Memorial Park, formerly known as the Ruijin Central Revolutionary Base Memorial Hall, it is one of the first batch of 100 national patriotic education demonstration bases approved by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, and also among the first group of national first-class museums. Approved by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, the museum underwent expansion starting in 2004. In 2007, [Name redacted] inscribed the new museum’s name. The museum covers an area of 68 mu, with a building area of 10,100 square meters, including 4,800 square meters of exhibition space.

　　Red Star Shining Over China: This feature consists of three parts: the Red Star, bronze statues of figures, and rock formations. The Red Star is 19 meters high and 3.5 meters thick, with an internal steel structure and an exterior clad in aluminum-plastic panels. The central spherical form represents a part of the emblem of the Chinese Soviet Republic. The bronze statues include 10 statues of great leaders and 8 of the masses. The leader statues feature Mao Zedong, [Names redacted], standing 3 meters tall. The rock formation is 10 meters high, 4 meters wide, and 15 meters long, with a base measuring 60 meters in length and 1.5 meters in height.

　　Monument to the Chinese Soviet Republic: Situated at the highest point of the entire memorial park, the monument stands 11.07 meters

　　North Park of the Memorial Park

　　tall, symbolizing the founding of the Chinese Soviet Republic on November 7, 1931. The monument is 8.9 meters wide, weighs over 30 tons, and features more than 500 characters inscribed on its back. The base platform spans 508 square meters, symbolizing the 5 years and 8 months that the government of the Chinese Soviet Republic was based in the Red Capital, Ruijin, making it an iconic structure of the city.

　　Twenty-Eight Characters of the Soviet Spirit: On November 4, 2011, [Name redacted], member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Vice President of the State, and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, summarized the core values of the Soviet Spirit as “Firm belief, seeking truth from facts, serving the people wholeheartedly, upholding integrity and honesty, hard struggle, striving for excellence, and selfless dedication.” Each of the 28 Chinese characters is 2.4 meters square, made from 3mm-thick brass plate, with 33cm-wide borders, bold font, and a fluorocarbon coating for anti-corrosion protection to ensure minimal color change over 20 years.

　　Central Soviet Area Military Culture Expo Park

　　The Central Soviet Area Military Culture Expo Park project spans Guanshan Village and Jinlong Village in Shazhouba Town, with a total investment of 50 million yuan and covering an area of 768 mu. It is a mega tourist attraction integrating red revolutionary tradition education, national defense military training, and sightseeing leisure, and also a new highlight in the city’s efforts to build a regional tourism hub and apply for National 5A-level scenic area status. The project includes existing sites such as the former site of the Central Politburo, the former site of the Military Commission, the former site of the Arsenal, the former site of the General Political Department, the former site of the Communist Youth League, the former site of the Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth CPC Central Committee, and the former residence of Otto Braun. The Central Soviet Area Military War Exhibition Hall is located next to the former sites of the General Staff and General Logistics Departments, covering an area of 20 mu with an estimated investment of 20 million yuan. It mainly uses modern audio, light, and electronic technology to reflect the Central Red Army’s various anti-encirclement campaigns and the close bond between the military and civilians, displaying relevant historical facts and artifacts. The project also features themed zones such as the Red Capital Generals Sculpture Wall, revolutionary historical event group sculptures, military product display areas, guerrilla warfare experience zones, and Long March poetry and painting themes.

　　Former Site of the Central Revolutionary Military Commission: Abbreviated as the Central Military Commission. Established in Ruijin on November 25, 1931, it was the highest military command organ of the Soviet area. The commission included departments such as the General Staff, the General Mobilization and Armed Forces Department, the General Supply Department, the General Transport Department, the General Health Department, the Political Security Bureau, and the Relief Committee. The restored former sites of the General Staff and General Logistics Departments retain the local Hakka architectural style, covering an area of over 40 mu with a total construction area of 4,500 square meters. Together with the former sites of the Central Military Commission and the General Political Department, they form a military system heritage cluster, designated as key cultural relic protection units and listed as “Patriotic Education Bases” by both the state and the military.

　　Former Site of the All-China General Political Department of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army: Located at Baiwuzi in Shazhouba, about 1 km from the central government offices, it is a brick-and-wood rural dwelling. In April 1933, the Red Army General Political Department moved here from Yepai. Vice Chairman [Name redacted], who also served as head of the General Political Department, and [Name redacted], editor-in-chief of the Red Army newspaper Hongxing Bao, worked and lived here, publishing newspapers such as Hongxing Bao and Political Work. It is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.