Red Army bugle book inspires discipline and boosts tourism in Fujian village

In Phoenix Mountain village of Ninghua county — one of the key Long March departure points — the village environment and rural economy have been greatly upgraded because of red education attractions.

Wang Xinggang, director of the village committee, said the influx of visitors has brought economic benefits. Sales of local specialties, agricultural products, and handicrafts have increased, while collective village income rose from almost nothing to more than 200,000 yuan last year.

A local rice wine known as Red Army Cola has become a link between history and modern tourism. Villagers say they offered the wine to Red Army soldiers during their stay to help them fend off the cold.

Annual sales of the rice wine have grown from less than 2 or 3 metric tons to nearly 20 tons, Wang said.

"Young people have also begun returning to the village to start businesses, including a cultural and creative workshop producing local handicrafts," he added.