Shaoshan 韶山市

Setting and landscape

The Shaofeng range and two streams, the Shao River (韶河) and the Shishi River (石狮江), shape the land: high in the west, falling to the east and southeast. The top is Shaofeng (韶峰) at 519.1 metres, in the southwest, about 5 kilometres from Mao's former home; it is counted as the 71st of the 72 peaks of Mount Heng (衡山). The Shao River, once called the Yunhu River (云湖河), is the largest of nine rivers over 5 kilometres long, all of which drain through the Lian River (涟水) into the Xiang (湘江).

The city government gives an annual mean temperature of 16.7°C, slightly below neighbouring counties, with a rainy season running from about mid-April to about 10 July.

History

Local tradition, retold by the city's gazetteer office, says the legendary Emperor Shun (舜帝) camped here on a southern tour and had Shao music (韶乐) performed, and the mountain took its name from that music.

Mao was born in Shaoshanchong (韶山冲) on 26 December 1893 and lived there until autumn 1910, when he left to study. In June 1925 he held a secret meeting in the family house that set up Shaoshan's first Communist Party branch.

What to see

Mao Zedong's Former Residence (毛泽东同志故居) at Shangwuchang (上屋场) is a U-shaped farmhouse of 18 rooms that faces north. Many of the furnishings are original, among them the beds, the kitchen water vat and the farm tools. A lotus pond, Nan'an Pond (南岸塘), lies in front, and about 100 metres away is Nan'an (南岸), the village school where he studied as a boy.

Dishuidong (滴水洞) lies in a valley about 4 kilometres west of the Mao bronze statue. After Mao swam in the reservoir at its entrance in June 1959, a villa was built there from 1960; he stayed 11 days in its Building No. 1 in June 1966. The site was kept secret until it opened in autumn 1986. The scenic area also takes in the Huxieping (虎歇坪) group around Mao's ancestors' graves.

The city also lists the Mao Family Ancestral Hall (毛氏宗祠), the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall (毛泽东纪念馆), the bronze statue, a forest of steles carved with Mao's poems (毛泽东诗词碑林), the Shaoshan Martyrs' Cemetery (韶山烈士陵园) and the Six Dynasties pine at Ciyue Nunnery (慈悦庵).

Food and local products

The city's list of local specialities includes Mao-family red-braised pork (毛氏红烧肉), Shaoshan fire-baked fish (韶山火焙鱼), Shaofeng tea (韶峰茶), Xiang lotus seeds (湘莲), Shaoshan cured pork (韶山土腊肉) and fish head with chopped chillies (剁椒鱼头).

Highlights

• Mao Zedong's Former Residence 毛泽东同志故居: North-facing farmhouse of 18 rooms where Mao was born in 1893; many furnishings are original.
• Dishuidong 滴水洞: Valley villa built from 1960 where Mao stayed 11 days in June 1966; opened to visitors in 1986.
• Shaofeng 韶峰: Highest point at 519.1 m, counted as the 71st of Mount Heng's 72 peaks.
• Shaoshan fire-baked fish 韶山火焙鱼: Listed by the city government as one of Shaoshan's local products.