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 is mainly composed of 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 which is well landscaped.  The house that faces the south was built with adobe and grey tile- roofed. It is of a half-timbered structure, and used to be a normal farmer house in the south of China. In the front there are rice fields and pools, in the back there is a hill with diverse trees, 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. The east part of the residence with 14 rooms belonged to Mao's family, whilst the west part with 5 rooms 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 ShaoShan for 5 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 Dishui Cave (Dripping Water Cave). This residence was destructed in 1929 by Kuomintang, 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, and then in 1982 its name was changed to Former Residence from Original Residence.

        Now all the rooms have been renovated to be 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 his parents' bedroom (bed, wardrobe, desks, stool and chair), the jar and cupboard in the kitchen, stone grinder, man-driven irrigation tool and the harrow in the Farm Implements Room, the rice pestle and man-driven blower for rice in the Pestle Room.