Yan’an in Shaanxi: Carrying Forward the Great Spirit of the Resistance War and the Yan’an Spirit

At the Yan’an Revolutionary Memorial Hall, a guide vividly recounts the creation and adaptation of the northern Shaanxi folk song “The East Is Red” to visitors.

As the explanation ends, singing emerges from the crowd, with more and more visitors joining in. The eyes of veteran Party member Zheng Jinxing gradually moisten. “I’ve always wanted to visit Yan’an, and today my dream has finally come true,” he says.

Yan’an, the sacred land of the Chinese revolution and the cradle of New China. From 1935 to 1948, the Party Central Committee and revolutionary elders such as Comrade Mao Zedong lived and fought here for 13 years, leading the revolutionary cause from its low point to a historic turning point, altering the destiny of China.

Under the shadow of the Pagoda Mountain, the legacy endures.

“Ode to Yan’an” and “A Book That Is Never Fully Read”

The revolutionary sites in Yan’an bear witness to the Party’s leadership during the Yan’an period, exploring the sinicization and modernization of Marxism—a book that is never fully read.

Northwest of Yan’an city in Shaanxi, the Yangjialing Revolutionary Site stands tall after the rain, with the Central Auditorium towering prominently. During the Yangjialing period, the Communist Party of China convened its Seventh National Congress, launched the Yan’an Rectification Movement, and led the Chinese people’s War of Resistance Against Japan.

“Progressive youths sang this song as they rushed to Yan’an…” Refining his script and accompanying it with music, Xue Jian, deputy director of the Yangjialing Revolutionary Site Management Office, begins with “Ode to Yan’an,” repeatedly sharing stories of the revolutionary base with visitors from all over. “The mountains form a solid barrier… The songs of resistance echo everywhere…” The melody, spanning over eight decades, still moves hearts today.

Xue Jian notes, “When our Party was founded, it had only about 50 members. By the time of the Seventh Congress, it had grown to 1.21 million members.” As of last year, the number of Communist Party members has reached 100.271 million.

At the Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site, a political education class is underway under the shade of trees.

“Revolutionary elders like Comrade Mao Zedong, with their sharp vision and profound insight, contemplated China’s future and made a series of major decisions that set the correct direction and path for our Party’s continuous victories,” says Wang Zengqi, an associate professor at the National Defense University Political College’s Xi’an campus, connecting historical depth with modern development. “Attending a political class at the very place where revolutionary martyrs lived and fought fills me with reverence. We must demonstrate the responsibility of youth through action,” says one student.

Such vivid classes at revolutionary sites are common in Yan’an. In recent years, Yan’an has leveraged its red cultural resources, establishing 75 on-site teaching points and a pool of over 500 educators. It has developed themed teaching routes such as “Retracing the Long March,” “Revisiting the ‘Cave Dialogue,'” and “Reunderstanding the ‘Serve the People’ Speech,” striving to make full use of red resources and uphold revolutionary traditions.

Qian Junpeng, a professor at the National Defense University Political College’s Xi’an campus, is a frequent visitor to Wangjiaping. Over 30 years, she has witnessed the transformation of Yan’an’s revolutionary sites. “The environment has improved, exhibitions have become richer, and on-site teaching and artistic performances have enriched the visitor experience.” In Qian’s view, “This ‘book that is never fully read’ always offers new insights.”

“The Yellow River Cantata” and the Performance Under the Stars

Liu Ni, former director of the Yan’an Art and Literature Memorial Hall, will never forget the scene three years ago: Xian Xinghai’s daughter, Xian Nina, in her eighties, handed her father’s baton to Liu, both moved to tears.

This small copper baton, which followed Xian Xinghai across the world, is now treasured in the Yan’an Art and Literature Memorial Hall, receiving daily admiration from visitors.

“The wind roars, the horses neigh, the Yellow River surges…” Pulling back the curtain of time, the scene returns to the spring of 1939. The 34-year-old Xian Xinghai used this bat

Yan’an Revolutionary Memorial Hall

The Yan’an Revolutionary Memorial Hall, located in Yan’an, Shaanxi Province, is a museum dedicated to the history of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during the Yan’an period (1935–1948). It commemorates the revolutionary activities and leadership of the CCP, including figures like Mao Zedong, during the struggle against the Japanese invasion and the Chinese Civil War. The site preserves historical artifacts, documents, and exhibits highlighting Yan’an’s role as a key revolutionary base.

Pagoda Mountain

Pagoda Mountain, located in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, is a striking peak named for its distinctive, layered rock formations that resemble the tiers of a pagoda. The mountain, part of the Front Range, was shaped by ancient geological forces, including erosion and glacial activity, which created its unique appearance. It is a popular destination for hikers and photographers, offering stunning views of the surrounding wilderness.

Yangjialing Revolutionary Site

The Yangjialing Revolutionary Site, located in Yan’an, Shaanxi Province, was a key base for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during the Yan’an period (1935-1948). It served as the CCP’s headquarters from 1938 to 1947, where Mao Zedong and other leaders formulated revolutionary strategies and policies. Today, it is a memorial site preserving historical buildings and artifacts, symbolizing the revolutionary spirit of that era.

Central Auditorium

The Central Auditorium is a prominent cultural and performance venue, often serving as a hub for concerts, theatrical productions, and public events. Its history dates back to the early or mid-20th century, when it was established to promote arts and community gatherings. Today, it remains a key landmark, hosting both local and international performances.

Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site

The Wangjiaping Revolutionary Site is a significant historical location in China, associated with the Communist Party’s revolutionary activities during the Chinese Civil War. It served as a key base for the Red Army and revolutionary leaders, including Mao Zedong, in the 1930s. Today, it is preserved as a memorial and educational site, showcasing the struggles and triumphs of China’s revolutionary era.

Yan’an Art and Literature Memorial Hall

The Yan’an Art and Literature Memorial Hall commemorates the cultural and artistic movements that flourished in Yan’an during the 1930s-1940s, when the city was the revolutionary base of the Chinese Communist Party. It honors the contributions of writers, artists, and intellectuals who promoted revolutionary ideals through literature, theater, and music. The site preserves historical artifacts and documents, reflecting Yan’an’s role as a cradle of modern Chinese revolutionary culture.

The East Is Red

“The East Is Red” is a famous Chinese song and cultural symbol, composed in the 1940s, that became a revolutionary anthem during the Mao Zedong era, praising the Communist Party and its leadership. It was widely performed during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) and remains a nostalgic piece representing China’s socialist history. Today, it is sometimes referenced in patriotic events or pop culture, reflecting both historical significance and evolving political meanings.

Ode to Yan’an

“Ode to Yan’an” is a Chinese cultural and revolutionary piece that celebrates Yan’an, a historic city in Shaanxi Province, which served as the Communist Party’s revolutionary base during the Chinese Civil War (1930s–1940s). The work reflects the Yan’an Spirit, symbolizing resilience, sacrifice, and the Party’s ideological foundation. It honors the region’s role in shaping modern China’s political and cultural identity.