Some people have an admiration for Hitler; I have an admiration for Chairman Mao Zedong. He caused a lot of suffering but I am sure he has helped China become what it is today. There are many "Mao places" around China and the ones associated with the wars of the last century interest me most. The visit to Yan'an was a particularly exciting prospect for me having seen representations in a number of historical films I like to watch.

The first part of the Yan'an visit was to the Revolutionary Memorial which houses 35000 relics from a 13 year period of conflict involving the Communist Party of China (CPC). The city of Yan'an has been transformed in the last 50 years into a very modern city but it is overlooked by the Baota Pagoda which was completed in 779AD, another site showing China's heritage. Before leaving we made a brief visit to the Yellow Emperor Mausoleum...too much myth attached for me to accept.

 

 

 

 

On to the CCP operations "village".

 

 

 

This is the "garden" that Chairman Mao cultivated. Isn't it strange that something becomes significant because of its association with someone famous or important. Makes me think the world is a mad place, made mad by humans.

 

Baota Pagoda

Yellow Emperor Mausoleum

 

i'm not sure where you go if you want a routine pee.

And then we turn a corner and we are back in the present.