Former Residence of Mao Zedong

Shaoshan, one of the four major revolutionary memorial lands of China, has been well known in the world because of Mao Zedong, a great leader of China. With fascinating scenery, Shaoshan Scenic and Historic Interest Area are mainly composed of the former residence of Mao Zedong, Shaofeng peak, Dishui cave, Qingxi and Heishizhai scenic areas.

Former residence of Mao Zedong

The former residence of Mao Zedong is one of the national AAAA scenic spots. The residence named Shangwuchang, is located in a valley with beautiful landscapes. The house that faces the south was built with adobe and has a grey tiled-roofed. It was built to be used as a normal farmer's house in the south of China. There are rice fields and pools in the front of the house and a hill with various trees in the back. On the left, there is a vegetable field and on the right there are vegetable fields, rice fields and grain-sunning ground. It covers a land area of 566.39 square meters with 20 rooms. Fourteen rooms in the east part of the residence belonged to Mao's family, whilst 5 rooms in the west part belonged to his neighbors and the living room was shared by the two families.

Mao Zedong was born here on Dec 26, 1893. He spent his childhood and boyhood here. In the fall of 1910 he left this village for study. After he joined the revolution, Mao Zedong returned to ShaoShan five times for the purpose of revolution, inspecting or visiting his villagers. In 1966, he came here for the last time and spent the time in the Dishui Cave (Dripping Water Cave). This residence was destructed in 1929 by Kuomintang and after 1950 its original appearance was recovered. In April, 1961, this former residence was announced by the State Council as a Key National Historical Reservation Unit. In 1982, its name was changed to Former Residence from Original Residence.

Now all the rooms have been renovated to resemble their original appearance and layouts: their bedrooms (Mao, his parents and his two brothers), the living room, kitchen and other rooms. The historical relics include: the furniture in Mao's bedroom and in his parents' bedroom (bed, wardrobe, desks, stools and chairs), the jar and cupboard in the kitchen, stone grinder, man-driven irrigation tools, the harrow in the farm implements room, the rice pestle and man-driven blower for rice in the pestle room.