Growing Popularity of Red Tourism in China: A Framework for Development
New standards aim to enhance visitor experiences across historical revolutionary sites amid increased interest in China's revolutionary history.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).
Throughout the recent five-day May Day holiday, numerous historical sites reflecting China's revolutionary history experienced significant tourist engagement.
In Hunan province alone, visitors to 60 Red tourism sites reached 2.72 million, marking a 21.8 percent increase compared to the previous year.
This surge underscores the public's continued reverence for the revolutionary legacy that has shaped modern China.
Revolutionary heritage sites are defined as locations that highlight the Chinese people's struggles for national revitalization following the Opium War in 1840, as well as key sites related to the Communist Party of China from its founding in 1921 to the establishment of New China in 1949.
In line with the rising interest in Red tourism, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism introduced the Classification of Integrated Red Tourism Development Zones in December 2022, establishing a new industry standard designed to enhance the quality of tourism experiences at these sites.
The standard includes 36 specific requirements across six key areas: governance, cultural preservation, integrated development, tourism services, safety, and talent cultivation.
A notable focus of the standard is on governance, detailing foundational requirements such as clearly defined development entities, geographical scope, and the establishment of a comprehensive institutional framework.
It also emphasizes the protection and inheritance of Red culture, the promotion of nationally significant tourism products, and the safeguarding of revolutionary artifacts.
Educational programming is encouraged, with initiatives dedicated to teaching the histories of the CPC, New China, reform and opening-up, and socialist development.
The standard advocates for the preservation of historical ambiance while ensuring that infrastructure developments harmonize with the aesthetic qualities of former revolutionary base areas.
To foster integrated development among industries, the standard outlines criteria for creating master plans and cultivating complementary industries under a unified strategy.
It promotes the use of modern technologies to enhance visitor experiences and encourages the development of large-scale, revolution-themed performances, and cultural products.
Economic indicators—including growth in tourism traffic, job creation, and revenue generation—are also critical aspects included in the standard.
Experts have noted that these comprehensive measures serve to manage and coordinate Red tourism zones effectively.
The standard is expected to facilitate local governments in promoting Red tourism as a prominent national brand, transforming individual attractions into integrated tourism destinations.
Ministerial officials highlighted that the extensive network of Red tourism sites across China includes museums, memorial halls, and the residences of key revolutionary figures.
This infrastructure has become a vital platform for promoting cultural education related to revolutionary history and driving economic revitalization in former revolutionary areas.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has described integrated Red tourism development as the creation of destination zones that synchronize tourism resources with surrounding industries and public services.
This holistic approach aims to inspire visitors through the 'Red spirit' while engaging them in various sectors, such as education, agriculture, and transportation.
The country's Patriotic Education Law enshrines the importance of developing integrated Red tourism zones to utilize Red resources for educational purposes.
The 14th five-year plan for tourism development (2021-25) specifically aims to support historical regions in leveraging their unique tourism capabilities.
Initial pilot programs for this initiative have yielded notable results, leading to the establishment of the new standard set to drive further integration across Red tourism offerings.
The Ministry is committed to implementing the standard through developing a scoring system and assisting local areas in adopting these guidelines nationwide.
By evaluating the performance of pilot regions and promoting successful models, the Ministry seeks to ensure that the development of Red tourism aligns with a scientific and standardized framework, fostering a deeper connection to China's revolutionary heritage.
Throughout the recent five-day May Day holiday, numerous historical sites reflecting China's revolutionary history experienced significant tourist engagement.
In Hunan province alone, visitors to 60 Red tourism sites reached 2.72 million, marking a 21.8 percent increase compared to the previous year.
This surge underscores the public's continued reverence for the revolutionary legacy that has shaped modern China.
Revolutionary heritage sites are defined as locations that highlight the Chinese people's struggles for national revitalization following the Opium War in 1840, as well as key sites related to the Communist Party of China from its founding in 1921 to the establishment of New China in 1949.
In line with the rising interest in Red tourism, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism introduced the Classification of Integrated Red Tourism Development Zones in December 2022, establishing a new industry standard designed to enhance the quality of tourism experiences at these sites.
The standard includes 36 specific requirements across six key areas: governance, cultural preservation, integrated development, tourism services, safety, and talent cultivation.
A notable focus of the standard is on governance, detailing foundational requirements such as clearly defined development entities, geographical scope, and the establishment of a comprehensive institutional framework.
It also emphasizes the protection and inheritance of Red culture, the promotion of nationally significant tourism products, and the safeguarding of revolutionary artifacts.
Educational programming is encouraged, with initiatives dedicated to teaching the histories of the CPC, New China, reform and opening-up, and socialist development.
The standard advocates for the preservation of historical ambiance while ensuring that infrastructure developments harmonize with the aesthetic qualities of former revolutionary base areas.
To foster integrated development among industries, the standard outlines criteria for creating master plans and cultivating complementary industries under a unified strategy.
It promotes the use of modern technologies to enhance visitor experiences and encourages the development of large-scale, revolution-themed performances, and cultural products.
Economic indicators—including growth in tourism traffic, job creation, and revenue generation—are also critical aspects included in the standard.
Experts have noted that these comprehensive measures serve to manage and coordinate Red tourism zones effectively.
The standard is expected to facilitate local governments in promoting Red tourism as a prominent national brand, transforming individual attractions into integrated tourism destinations.
Ministerial officials highlighted that the extensive network of Red tourism sites across China includes museums, memorial halls, and the residences of key revolutionary figures.
This infrastructure has become a vital platform for promoting cultural education related to revolutionary history and driving economic revitalization in former revolutionary areas.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has described integrated Red tourism development as the creation of destination zones that synchronize tourism resources with surrounding industries and public services.
This holistic approach aims to inspire visitors through the 'Red spirit' while engaging them in various sectors, such as education, agriculture, and transportation.
The country's Patriotic Education Law enshrines the importance of developing integrated Red tourism zones to utilize Red resources for educational purposes.
The 14th five-year plan for tourism development (2021-25) specifically aims to support historical regions in leveraging their unique tourism capabilities.
Initial pilot programs for this initiative have yielded notable results, leading to the establishment of the new standard set to drive further integration across Red tourism offerings.
The Ministry is committed to implementing the standard through developing a scoring system and assisting local areas in adopting these guidelines nationwide.
By evaluating the performance of pilot regions and promoting successful models, the Ministry seeks to ensure that the development of Red tourism aligns with a scientific and standardized framework, fostering a deeper connection to China's revolutionary heritage.
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