CCTV9英语新闻：Descendants of Red Army benefit from 'Red tourism'

Jinggangshan is known to be the birthplace of the Chinese Red Army and the cradle of the Chinese Revolution. The county-level city in southeast China’s Jiangxi Province has transformed itself into a place where tourists can get a better understanding of how the Red Army used to live.

 

Learning how to throw hand grenades.

 

Climbing and crossing obstacles.

 

In Bashang village, young visitors are taking part in a training project called “A day in the Red Army”.

 

"The training is not as easy as I imagined. I realized how difficult it is to be a soldier," said Xu Changjiang, visitor of Jinggangshan, Jiangxi Province.

 

As the cradle of the Chinese revolution, people come to Jinggangshan to honor the spirit of the Red Army.

 

Villager Li Zufang helps these “soldiers” to prepare a “Red Army Meal”. In Bashang village, over 40 families provide catering services for visitors. Each family can host up to 900 people per year, bringing a 50 percent increase in their annual income.

 

"We’re getting old now. Thanks to this project, my wife and I can make a living at home instead of working outside," Li said.

 

Developing such a business model was not easy. In the past, villagers used to cut trees and sell them for money. It took the local authorities several years to limit forest felling and promote tourism to its current scale.

 

"It’s only with a good environment that we can attract more visitors here. That’s the key of tourism," said Li Zhonglin, former party secretary, Bashang Village, Jinggangshan.

 

A “Red Education” base has been established in Bashang village. And locals are also preparing to provide home stay services for more visitors.