Shaoshan

Shaoshan is a town of Xiangtan City in Hunan Province, China. It is located in central Hunan, about 60 kilometers southwest of Changsha and near the Xiang River. The town is best known as the birthplace of Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People’s Republic of China, and for a cluster of sites commemorating his early life.

The principal attractions include Mao Zedong’s Former Residence, the house where Mao was born in 1893, and the surrounding birthplace complex, which preserves the rural architecture and artifacts from his childhood. Nearby Shaoshan Mountain and the Shaoshan Museum contribute to the historical and cultural landscape. The site is a major destination for red tourism and for visitors seeking context related to Mao and the early Chinese Communist Party.

Shaoshan’s economy relies on agriculture and tourism, with visitor facilities, lodging, and services expanding alongside rural production. The area has benefited from national and provincial initiatives to develop cultural heritage and regional tourism.

Administratively, Shaoshan is a town within Xiangtan City, comprising several villages and residential communities. It is connected to neighboring urban centers by road and is commonly reached from Changsha or Xiangtan by bus, car, or organized tour routes.