Youth-Led Surge in Retracing China's Historic Long March
Chinese and international visitors are increasingly retracing the Long March route to study revolutionary history and witness the country's rapid infrastructure modernization.
Visitors from China and abroad are retracing the route of the Long March, the military trek led by the Communist Party of China from 1934 to 1936. Participants use the journey to study revolutionary history and observe the contrast between the original treacherous terrain and China's current modernization. The route now features high-speed rail and the world's highest bridge in Guizhou Province.
Recent data from the first half of 2026 indicates a significant rise in interest, with ticket bookings for revolutionary heritage sites increasing 86 percent year-on-year. Visitors aged 18 to 35 now account for more than half of these totals.
Participants like Luo Jianhua, who completed the journey on horseback in 2017, now share these experiences in schools. Scholars and participants suggest that retracing the march promotes rural revitalization and provides inspiration for overcoming contemporary challenges through the Long March spirit.
