Red tourism shakes off shadow cast by COVID-19

In Mao Zedong Square, the first stop on Luo's tour, she and her fellow students made a solemn vow.

"We, the younger generation, will hold high the great banner, shoulder the responsibility to achieve national rejuvenation, remember the words of leaders, and follow the footsteps of the Communist Party of China," the students said.

Luo said she had been taught about Mao by her parents and teachers since childhood, and the trip to Shaoshan reaffirmed her dream of becoming a servant for the people.

"I was impressed by the 73 patches on the late leader's pajamas. Although China has become wealthier, we should still reject self-indulgence and not waste things," she said.

Li Qingshan, 65, and his wife, Sun Zhuyun, 63, visited Shaoshan early this month from Qingdao, Shandong province, as they feared there would be too many visitors during the 130th anniversary of Mao's birth on Dec 26.

It was Li's second visit to Shaoshan, following one he made in the 1990s. "Shaoshan has definitely improved greatly over the years, and the local environment, roads and scenic spots are now much better," he said.

Li, who served in the military in Shenyang, Liaoning province, for several years in the late 1970s, admires Mao's skills as a military leader. "He was a true leader of the Chinese people, and dedicated himself to changing their destiny," he said.

When the couple arrived in the square, it was already packed with visitors waiting their turn to bow three times in tribute to Mao.

Some visitors paid for a two-man military-style escort to guide them to the foot of Mao's statue. After Li and his wife bowed three times to the statue, they had tears in their eyes.

Sun said: "People of my generation have lived through tough times, so we have deep feelings for Chairman Mao. He was a savior. Without him, we would not have been able to dream of living happy lives today."

Although today's living standards are much better than those in the past, she said people cannot forget the sacrifice made by Mao and other revolutionary leaders.