Shaoshan - Birthplace of Mao Zedong

This small town belongs to Hunan Province of Central China.It became world famous as it was the Birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong. It is located about 100kms away from Chengsha, the Capital city of Hunan Province. Chairman Mao Zedong was born on 26th December 1893.  
I had the privilege of visiting this historical town on 20 th November 2018 on the invitation of Hunan People’s Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries.We were gathered into the vehicle at about 8.30 AM by a representative of said organization, Miss Tang Jinbin.  
Orange plantations full of fruits on both sides of the road was a very pleasant sight to our eyes.We arrived at the said village at about 9.30 A M .  
We were welcomed by Mrs Zheng Jie a staff member of reception division of Shaoshan Administrative Bureau and escorted us to visit places of interest of the life of Chairman Mao Zedong.According to her there were five places of interest connected to Chairman Mao.  

01 The home where Chairman Mao was born.  
02 The school he attended   
03 His Memorial Museum   
04 His Statue made out of copper   
05 The forest mentioned in Chairman Mao’s poems.  

First we were taken to see the massive copper statue of Chairman Mao.After passing the gate of that garden we had to walk a fairly long distance to arrive there .Thousands of locals and Foreign tourists daily flock to visit this unique statue.This Statue is 36 meters in height and floral tributes are laid at the foot of the Statue. The name of the persons lay floral tribute are announced by the public address system there.I looked up the statue and the struggle of new China, reflected on my mind without Chairman Mao, China will not be as today.This bronze statue of Chairman Mao is majestic.  

"Presently this town is turning out to be a megacity. Restaurants and handicrafts shops finds lot of customers due to the massive crowds that visit this area and earn good money "

After visiting the statue we were taken to see the Mao Memorial Museum.This was opened in 1963.It has become one of the 100 excellent patriotic educational bases in China.The Museum depicts various victories,Chairman Mao obtained during his life time.This is also a beautiful flower garden depicting the great garden ,tradition of the Chinese people.  
After visiting the Museum ,we were taken to see the home ,where Chairman Mao Zedong lived .This home is located in a small hilltop surrounded by a paddy field.His father was a Farmer.He has spent the first 17 years of his life in this house.In 1910 he had left this home and gone to another area for his education .In 1921 he had returned to this house and started mobilizing people for the future revolution.Small farmers societies were raised around this house,which became the nerve Centre of the revolution.  
There were 13 rooms in this house.Various items used by him and his family members are exhibited in this house.Photographs of Chairman Mao’s childhood with his family members are exhibited here.  

The school he studied is also situated at close proximity to this house.Opposite this house is a beautiful lake.Chairman Mao as a child used into jump to this lake and swam across to escape punishment from his parents for various pranks,he did.In later life he became an excellent swimmer.  
The portraits of the world leaders who visited this house are displayed here.  
Still the people of China a revere and idolize Chairman Mao as their supreme leader.I think Chinese people flock in their thousands to visit these places due to that reason.  
Presently this town is turning out to be a megacity. Restaurants and handicrafts shops finds lot of customers due to the massive crowds that visit this area and earn good money. 
Last year 23.82 million tourists arrived and bringing 7.05 million yuan to the economy of this area.  
This town is the ideal place to learn about the 1949 revolution of China.  

 -Jinith de Silva  
Vice President, Sri Lanka-China Society