The younger generation inherits the spirit of the Long March in various ways

Xinhua News Agency, Xi'an, October 4th (Reporter Zou Jingyi) During the National Day holiday, at the Central Red Army Long March Victory Memorial Hall in Wuqi County, Shaanxi Province, Wang Qianyu and Qi Sicheng, students from Yan'an New District Senior High School, each took out a printed list of questions - " What is the most unique spiritual connotation of Wuqi's Long March culture? "How to use the spirit of the Long March to care for the present?" They are natives of Wuqi and want to use the holidays to better understand the history of the Long March and "tell more friends about the red stories of their hometown."

On October 1, Wang Qianyan (second from right) and Qi Sicheng (first from right), students from Yan'an New District Senior High School, listened to the explanation at the Central Red Army Long March Victory Memorial Hall in Wuqi County, Shaanxi Province. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zou Jingyi

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March. The reporter visited many red old sites in Yan'an and found that there are many young faces like this. Data shows that in the first half of this year, the popularity of ticket bookings for red scenic spots increased by 86% year-on-year, and the proportion of orders from tourists aged 18 to 35 exceeded 50%. Young people are becoming the main force of red tourism.

From re-walking a section of the road to reading a poem, there are more ways for young people to express their "Long March Travel" outside of museums.

Li Longkun, 26, set out from Ruijin, Jiangxi Province in August 2025 and re-walked the Long March on foot. He recorded what he saw and felt along the way in a short video, which attracted tens of thousands of likes from netizens. In the Songpan grassland where the Red Army passed, he carefully crossed the swamp and recounted that period of history to the camera. Under this video, some netizens commented: "I once thought that traveling was about seeing the most beautiful scenery. In fact, the most beautiful scenery is about people who dedicate everything to a great cause."

On October 1, a student played the song "My Motherland and Me" on the violin in front of the Central Red Army Long March Victory Monument in Wuqi County, Shaanxi Province. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zou Jingyi

In places along the Long March where history took place, more young people paid tribute to the martyrs by reciting and singing. On the eve of National Day, Zhang Weishi, a student from Southwest Petroleum University, came to Loushanguan in Guizhou. Standing at the pass, facing the mountains, she recited "Recalling Qin'e Loushanguan". This video was widely shared on social platforms. From Loushanguan to the Jinsha River, from the Dadu River to the foot of Minshan Mountain, young people used Long March poems and songs to complete their dialogue with history.

"Re-traveling the Long March is an affectionate look back at the turbulent years for contemporary youth." Liu Xiaomei, deputy director of the Party History Research Office of the Yan'an Municipal Party Committee, said that the firm belief that "revolutionary ideals are higher than the sky" and the indomitable character of struggle contained in the spirit of the great Long March still have a strong appeal to the times. The patriotism deeply rooted in the hearts of the children of the Chinese nation resonates with the passion and sincerity of young people, making the Long March story continue to resonate among the younger generation.

At the same time, the "opening method" of Long March Travel is also constantly being refreshed. Relying on the construction of the Long March National Cultural Park, new forms such as walking study, digital immersion, and red performances provide a vivid carrier for young people to learn red history and inherit the spirit of the Long March.

In Ganquan County, Yan'an City, the 65-kilometer Long March Historical Trail recreates the Red Army's marching route in an original manner and has become a "top-notch" local red study and check-in; in Guizhou, the "Red Ribbon" integrates holographic imaging, AI interaction and other technologies Technological means allow the audience to immerse themselves in the bloody battles of the Xiangjiang River and the four crossings of Chishui River; in Gulin County, Sichuan, the marching real-life night show "Victory Crossing" takes the audience to walk through the ancient streets with the "Red Army Team" and immerse themselves in the red history.

From pausing and contemplating in the memorial hall, to hiking on the Long March, to sharing on social platforms, the younger generation is encountering the great expedition 90 years ago in their own way. "Long March Travel" is no longer just "going to a place", but is becoming a spiritual arrival that can be touched, immersed and shared.