Shaoshan Memories

Shaoshan Chong is a small village in Xiangtan County, Changsha City, Hunan Province, but it is famous for being the birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong. Chairman Mao was born here, and people who love and admire him call this place "the place where the red sun rises," comparing Chairman Mao to the sun. Although this phrase originated in the fervent era of the last century, it truly expresses the place Chairman Mao holds in people's hearts. Chairman Mao has been gone for nearly half a century, yet the admiration for him, especially among those who lived through the last century, has not faded with time. On the eve of the Year of the Dragon (February 9, 2024), we made a special trip to Shaoshan to celebrate the New Year, undeterred by the icy and snowy obstacles set by the weather. The local government and people worked day and night to clear the snow and remove the branches and leaves broken by the ice and snow, preparing to welcome visitors from all directions. As night fell, the temperature gradually dropped to freezing, but people's enthusiasm for paying tribute to Chairman Mao continued to rise. People spontaneously gathered at Mao Zedong Square, converging towards the statue of Chairman Mao. The golden statue of Chairman Mao on the high platform gleamed under the lights, surrounded by baskets of flowers, and guarded by armed police officers. As the New Year approached, firecrackers and fireworks filled the air, and people carried flower baskets and queued up to present flowers in front of the statue of Chairman Mao, reaching a climax of excitement. That night, at least 20,000 people gathered at Mao Zedong Square to welcome the New Year. In Shaoshan, we stayed at Mao's Restaurant. The restaurant's chairman, Mrs. Mao, is 95 years old and is two generations older than Chairman Mao. When Chairman Mao returned to his hometown in 1959, he only entered her house. In the photo we took with her, she is the one holding a child. According to her, Chairman Mao had the people of the entire country in his heart and did not give any special favors to his hometown folks. This is why the people of Shaoshan feel that Chairman Mao is truly great.