Gaomi: Jinguo Well spirit continues to inspire

The "Jinguo Well" symbolizes the spirit of struggle and self-reliance in Songxingtun village, located in the county-level city of Gaomi in Weifang, Shandong. In 1973, during a drought, over 20 women formed a team to dig a 22-meter well using only manual tools, resolving the village's water and irrigation issues. The well was named "Jinguo Well" to honor their dedication.

This spirit has inspired the village's unique industries and rural vitalization efforts. The village now features landmarks such as a history museum and an extensive floral landscape, attracting many visitors and earning it the title of "National Civilized Village".

A Gaomi ICH inheritor teaches elementary school students about the "Clay Tiger". [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Institutions like the Baode Academy promote red culture through flag-raising ceremonies and revolutionary stories, and Gaomi has established over 30 education bases, 90 village-level counseling rooms, and more to advance education.

Additionally, Gaomi integrates red intangible cultural heritage into the curricula of its schools, setting up heritage workshops with regular lessons from inheritors and exploring new ways to support rural education. These efforts ensure that the "Jinguo Well" spirit continues to inspire and contribute to rural development. (Edited by Lin Li)