Red tourism and relics lift people out of poverty

Revolutionary base

Zou's was one of 130 households relocated for the park, whose name Fengjingduhao translates into English as "the landscape here is beyond compare", a line from a poem called Qing Ping Yue Huichang, written by Chairman Mao Zedong in Huichang during the summer of 1934.

The 420,000-square-meter park lies one kilometer from the county's downtown. Construction started in 2018. Based on the old revolutionary base, it incorporates the former residence of Mao and a replica of the former home of leader Deng Xiaoping, chief architect of the reform and opening-up policy, which originally stood a few kilometers distant. 

Ninety traditional Gannan-style houses have been preserved and renovated for use as eight exhibition halls to showcase the county's rich history as a revolutionary base.

In 1927, the People's Liberation Army was formed after the Nanchang uprising on Aug 1 that year, which had been initiated by the CPC to counter purges by the Kuomintang. The PLA's victory in a battle at Huichang, a key junction of Jiangxi, Fujian and Guangdong provinces, was its first over the KMT after the uprising.

Xiao Chenglin, deputy director of the management office at the former site of the provincial committee, said the combination of Red tourism, green attractions and traditional local culture means the park offers a special experience for tourists.

The Gannan-style architecture features an original house in the middle of the park. Traditionally, the houses were expanded on the left and right wings when the owner had children. The expansion continued when the children married and started their own families. All the rooms are connected by doors, but the houses remain independent when the doors are closed.

The renovated clay houses dot the park's meadows. At the old site of the Yuegan provincial committee of the CPC stands a facade with the name of the building at the entrance.

The park has played an important role in the county's efforts to improve its tourism industry. It was built with a view to link up with other scattered tourist attractions across the county.

"If tour groups come to see the beautiful views at our park and then look at the traditional Gannan-style houses, it will take them half a day. With other local attractions, tourists can stay in Huichang for a whole day, boosting Red tourism (visiting historical sites with a modern revolutionary legacy)," Xiao said. "We want to boost the tourism industry and build the county into a substantial national base for patriotic education as well as a famous travel destination."

Nearly 400,000 people, close to the population of Huichang, have visited the park since January.

Employment boost

The park has also created new jobs for low-paid locals.

Liu Jianhong is one of more than 70 people hired after the park was built. The 50-something is tasked with keeping the park clean, pulling up the weeds and keeping things organized correctly.

She earns 2,000 yuan a month, a steady income compared with her previous farming existence.

"I hurt my waist while working in the field, and now it still hurts on wet days. Working here is less tiring for me," she said. 

Liu lives a frugal life with her husband, who had surgery in Guangdong. She said the surgery cost the poverty-stricken family a lot of money, but declined to reveal details. The four-strong family used to live in a house made from clay, which could barely withstand windy, rainy days. However, the local government designated the family as impoverished and helped them apply for a public rental house near Liu's workplace.

The park gives Liu hope because her life keeps improving. 

She said that if her health allows it, she would like to work at the park for another decade to save up enough money for her son to get married.

The opening of the park also boosted local support businesses nearby, and the number of restaurants and shops has risen.

"We want to attract talent as well, especially people who make cultural and creative products or other support businesses, such as recreational facilities for children or study tours," Xiao said.

As a recreational park, it has a world-class racing BMX course. The Olympic-standard course, the only such training facility in Jiangxi, is one of the nation's top training areas for the sport, which is featured in the Olympics Games. 

For many people, the park is a tourist site with breathtaking scenery and historical relics to remember, but many locals like Zou and Liu have seen improvements in their lives as the park has lifted them out of the abyss of poverty and hopelessness.

Zou's only regret is that his father is unable to see his new life.

"I have no worries about making a living now. I have found my path, and I can always earn a living by raising fish. That gives me hope and confidence in the face of future obstacles," he said.

William Xu contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at stushadow@chinadailyhk.com