A group of 20 journalists from online media outlets were invited to Fujian province on Aug 22, to retrace some of the footsteps taken by the Red Army of the Chinese Communist Party 80 years ago during the Long March.

The group visited key stops on the route such as the cities of Longyan and Sanming, as well as the epic 9,000 kilometer, 370-day journey’s starting point, Zhongfu village.

The village is home to an exhibition hall dedicated to the Long March and displays photographs and artworks depicting the bravery of the Red Army at that time.

“Many soldiers never came back home after setting out from the village on their journey to liberate the Chinese people,” said a tour guide, who suggested that some people today forget to realize the brave sacrifices the soldiers made.

Near the exhibition hall in the center of the village is a pillar with a line carved across at 140 cm, which was used to determine a soldier’s height so that he could join up with the troops.

From October 1934 to October 1935, some 86,000 Red Army soldiers strategically retreated to evade the pursuit of the Kuomintang army in order to regroup. The Long March spirit of persistence, cooperation and fearlessness can be found in Zhongfu village, and local authorities wish to draw more attention to the plight of the brave soldiers of the Red Army 80 years ago.

A group of 20 journalists from online media outlets tour Zhongfu village, the starting point of the Long March. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The launch ceremony of a tour of Fujian province by members of the online media. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Journalists tour Zhongfu village, Fujian province, the starting point of the Long March. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Edited by Li Xiaoxu and Owen Fishwick