Ruijin Red Well

　　The Red Well is located in Shazhouba, Ruijin. It was dug in 1933. In 1950, the people of Ruijin renovated the well to welcome the arrival of the Central Southern Old Revolutionary Base Visiting Group, named it the “Red Well,” and erected a wooden sign beside it inscribed with the words “Never forget those who dug the well when drinking water; always think of Chairman Mao.” This expressed the gratitude and remembrance of the people of Shazhouba toward Chairman Mao. Later, the wooden sign was replaced with a stone stele. It was 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 titled “Never Forget Those Who Dug the Well When Drinking Water,” which refers to the Red Well in Shazhouba, Ruijin. There is also a song called “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, and the water from the Red Well is water of happiness.

　　Shazhouba was a drought-prone village lacking water. At that time, villagers were very superstitious and believed digging a well would damage the local feng shui, so no one dared to dig one on their own. People usually had to carry water from a small river several kilometers away for daily use, and during busy farming seasons, they could only fetch dirty pond water from in front of the village. Outsiders said: “Shazhouba, Shazhouba, if there’s no rain for three days, you can’t even wash your handkerchief. Mice die of thirst, frogs croak no more, 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 learning about the villagers’ difficulty accessing drinking water, he convened a village meeting to address the issue. Many villagers said at the meeting: “This place can’t have a well dug; doing so will bring misfortune. Even if we dig, we might not get any water. This is a drought dragon’s territory.” Hearing this, Chairman Mao laughed heartily and said: “Superstition is not to be believed. I will dig this well myself.”

　　One day in September, Mao Zedong led a few Red Army soldiers to conduct a water source survey a few 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, and eventually, the well was completed. It was lined with cobblestones. Afterward, other villagers in Shazhouba also started digging wells, and the drinking water problem for the villagers was finally resolved.

　　In 1950, the people of Ruijin renovated the well to welcome the Central Southern Old Revolutionary Base Visiting Group, named it the “Red Well,” and erected a wooden sign beside it inscribed with the words “Never forget those who dug the well when drinking water; always think of Chairman Mao.” This expressed the gratitude and remembrance of the people of Shazhouba toward Chairman Mao. Later, the wooden sign was replaced with 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 back then—building reservoirs, constructing hill ponds, drilling motorized wells, and focusing on solving water issues. They not only solved domestic and irrigation water needs but also developed aquaculture using high-quality groundwater and built bottled water plants. Through unremitting efforts, the once poor and backward area has become a prosperous land of fish and rice. People no longer come to the Red Well to fetch water, but more and more take care of it. Every one or two years, the public voluntarily gives the Red Well a thorough cleaning, ensuring that its water remains sweet and clear despite decades of weathering. The locals also sing folk songs praising the Party’s good policies and celebrating the new life: “Shazhouba, Shazhouba, even without rain for three months, there’s water to irrigate the crops. Bumper harvests bring wealth, and phoenixes flock to Shazhouba.” Let’s all take a sip of this Red Well water—it’s definitely sweet, cool, and intoxicating. This is rare revolutionary holy water, you know. Just as the song “Red Well Water” that we have 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 the Red Well and its water will forever remain in our hearts.

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

　　Type: Historical Site

　　Rating: AAAAA

　　Phone: 0797-2347897

　　Opening Hours:

　　8:30–17:00