The Cradle of the Republic Scenic Area is located in Ruijin City, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area and a national demonstration base for patriotic education. The scenic area is composed of the Yeping Revolutionary Site Group, the Hongjing Revolutionary Site Group, the Second National Soviet Congress Revolutionary Site Group, the Chinese Soviet Memorial Park, etc., with a total area of more than 4,550 mu. This is the birthplace of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic, known as the "Cradle of the Republic". There are more than 180 revolutionary sites and over 10,000 precious cultural relics preserved here, fully demonstrating the great practice of the Communist Party of China in governing the country in its early days.
History and Culture
On November 7, 1931, the First National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic was held in Yeping, Ruijin, proclaiming the establishment of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic, and Mao Zedong was elected as the Chairman. This was the first national red regime led by the Communist Party of China and the embryonic form of the People's Republic of China. During the Ruijin period, the Communist Party of China made preliminary attempts in governing the country, established national institutions such as administrative, legislative, and judicial organs, formulated a constitution outline and various laws and regulations, and accumulated valuable governing experience.
As the Red Capital, Ruijin witnessed the arduous journey of the Chinese Communists in exploring the path of the Chinese revolution. Here, revolutionary predecessors such as Mao Zedong led the military and civilians in the Soviet area to carry out the agrarian revolution, economic construction, cultural education, and regime construction, and cultivated the great Soviet area spirit. Before the Central Red Army set out on the Long March, Ruijin had always been the center of the national Soviet movement.
Today, the Cradle of the Republic Scenic Area has completely preserved the revolutionary sites and cultural relics of that time. Through means such as scene restoration, physical object display, and multimedia technology, it vividly reproduces that magnificent revolutionary history and is an important base for carrying out revolutionary tradition education and patriotic education.
Main Attractions
Yeping Revolutionary Site Group
The Yeping Revolutionary Site Group is the birthplace of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic, including 36 revolutionary sites such as the site of the First National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic, the site of the Central Bureau of the Communist Party of China in the Soviet Area, and the Red Army Square. Among them, the site of the "First National Soviet Congress" was originally the Xie Family Ancestral Hall, where the First National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic was held in November 1931. There are also memorial facilities such as the Red Army Martyrs Memorial Tower and Gonglue Pavilion within the site group.
Hongjing Revolutionary Site Group
The Hongjing Revolutionary Site Group was the residence of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic from April 1933 to July 1934, including 15 revolutionary sites such as the site of the Central Executive Committee, the site of the Central People's Committee, and Hongjing. Hongjing, which was dug by Mao Zedong personally leading the military and civilians, solved the drinking water problem of the local people, and the story of "never forgetting those who dug the well when drinking water" is widely spread. The office premises of institutions such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, and the Supreme Court of that year are also preserved within the site group.
Second National Soviet Congress Revolutionary Site Group
The Second National Soviet Congress Revolutionary Site Group is the venue of the Second National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic, including the Grand Auditorium of the Central Government, the site of the Central Revolutionary Military Commission, etc. The "Second National Soviet Congress" held in January 1934 summarized the experience of Soviet regime construction and adopted important documents such as the revised constitution outline. The Grand Auditorium of the Central Government was the largest building in the Soviet area at that time, capable of accommodating more than 2,000 people, and is known as the "predecessor of the Great Hall of the People".
Chinese Soviet Memorial Park
The Chinese Soviet Memorial Park covers an area of 1,000 mu, including the History Museum of the Central Revolutionary Base Area, the Chinese Soviet Memorial Tripod, the Red Army Martyrs Memorial Pavilion, etc. The museum displays a large number of precious revolutionary cultural relics and historical photos, systematically introducing the establishment and development process of the Central Revolutionary Base Area. The memorial park has a beautiful environment and a solemn and magnificent layout, and is an important place to pay tribute to revolutionary martyrs and receive revolutionary tradition education.
Yunshishan Revolutionary Site Group
The Yunshishan Revolutionary Site Group is the departure place of the Central Red Army's Long March, including the site of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the site of the Central Revolutionary Military Commission, etc. In October 1934, the central organs and the main force of the Central Red Army set out from here to start the Long March. Facilities such as the meeting room and the radio room of that year are preserved within the site group, showing the important historical scenes on the eve of the Long March.
Delicacies
Ruijin Beef Soup
Ruijin Beef Soup is a local specialty. High-quality yellow beef is selected, and with seasonings such as ginger and rice wine, it is slowly stewed. The soup is clear, and the beef is tender and fresh. It has the effect of nourishing and strengthening the body, and was an important food for Red Army soldiers to replenish their strength during the revolutionary era.
Red Army Braised Duck
Red Army Braised Duck originated in the revolutionary war era. Local native ducks are used and braised with a secret sauce. The meat is tender and the taste is rich. It is said that leaders such as Mao Zedong once praised this dish. Now it has become a representative delicacy of Ruijin.
Hakka Braised Tofu
Hakka Braised Tofu is a traditional dish in southern Jiangxi. The adjusted minced meat is stuffed into the tofu, and then it is fried until golden brown and stewed. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, delicious and juicy, reflecting the thrifty and intelligent food culture of the Hakka people, and was also a common home-cooked dish for the military and civilians in the Soviet area at that time.
Surrounding Delicacies
There are also special delicacies in Ganzhou, such as Three-Cup Chicken, Hebao Zuo, Rice Noodles with Fish, etc. In Ruijin urban area and Ganzhou urban area, tourists can taste authentic Hakka cuisine in southern Jiangxi and experience the unique food culture.
Ticket Information
The Cradle of the Republic Scenic Area implements a combined ticket system, and the ticket price is 80 yuan per person, including the main attractions such as Yeping, Hongjing, the Second National Soviet Congress site, and the Memorial Park. Students, the elderly, etc. can enjoy a 50% discount with valid certificates. The opening hours of the scenic area are from 8:00 to 17:30, and it is recommended to spend 1 to 2 days visiting.
Itinerary Recommendations
The recommended tour route: In the morning of the first day, visit the Yeping Revolutionary Site Group to learn about the history of the establishment of the Chinese Soviet Republic; in the afternoon, tour the Hongjing Revolutionary Site Group to feel the life of the military and civilians in the Soviet area; in the morning of the second day, visit the Second National Soviet Congress Revolutionary Site Group and the Chinese Soviet Memorial Park to systematically study the history of the Soviet area; in the afternoon, go to the Yunshishan Revolutionary Site Group to learn about the history of the departure of the Long March. If time is limited, you can choose to focus on visiting the Yeping and Hongjing site groups.
Transportation
- By plane: The nearest airport is Ganzhou Huangjin Airport, about 150 kilometers away from Ruijin.
- By high-speed rail: Take a high-speed rail to Ruijin West Station, and then it takes about 15 minutes by taxi to reach the scenic area.
- Self-driving: Starting from Ganzhou, it can be reached in about 2 hours via the Xiamen-Chengdu Expressway and the Ji'nan-Guangzhou Expressway.
- Transportation within the scenic area: There are sightseeing buses connecting the scenic spots, and some require walking.
Must-visit Attractions
- Yeping Revolutionary Site Group: The birthplace of the Chinese Soviet Republic.
- Hongjing Revolutionary Site Group: Hongjing dug by Mao Zedong leading the military and civilians.
- Second National Soviet Congress Revolutionary Site Group: The location of the Grand Auditorium of the Central Government.
- Chinese Soviet Memorial Park: Systematically display the history of the Soviet area.
- Yunshishan Revolutionary Site Group: The departure place of the Central Red Army's Long March.
Tour Tips
- The best tourist seasons are spring and autumn, with pleasant weather.
- It is recommended to arrange 1 to 2 days for an in-depth visit.
- Learn about the relevant historical background in advance for a more rewarding visit.
- Wear comfortable casual shoes, as some sites need to be visited on foot.
- There are professional explanation services in the scenic area, and it is recommended to make a reservation.
- You can combine with other surrounding red scenic spots for a visit.
Notes
- Protect revolutionary cultural relics and do not carve or smear in the sites.
- Keep solemn during the visit and do not make loud noises.
- Comply with the regulations of the scenic area and do not enter the unopened areas.
- Take good care of personal belongings, as the scenic area is large.
- Pay attention to sun protection and heat prevention in summer, and carry enough drinking water.
- Pay attention not to disturb other tourists when taking photos.