Red tourism nourishes spirit and economy

People flock to these historic sites of significance to the Chinese revolution and development not only to enjoy the picturesque landscape but also to review the difficult and glorious struggles of the Party for the liberation of the country and the people.

It is estimated that Chinese tourists will make 200 million domestic trips during the May Day holiday. The fast rise of hotel reservations in some "Red tourism" destinations indicates this subset of tourism is more popular this year, with the approaching 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC.

Data from multiple travel agencies show that, contrary to many people's expectations, about half of the visitors to the "Red tourism" destinations are below 40 years old.

Wang Nan, a college student from Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province, said heroism and patriotism will never become outdated. He often visits the Jiangqiao Battle Memorial Hall in the city, which was built in 2004 to memorialize the Chinese people's fight to resist the aggression of the Japanese army in 1931.

"The fearlessness they demonstrated in the fight against strong enemies to defend their homeland and freedom reflects the Chinese people's bravery and strength of character," Wang said.

Experts said that young people are eager to gain knowledge about the history of the Party and the country, as they adore the heroes whose faith in dreams, the courage to pursue them and their spirit of self-sacrifice are still relevant today. Meanwhile, there are "Red tourism" fans among older citizens for nostalgic reasons.