For 95-year-old veteran Zhang Kexia, the memorial halls and battle sites scattered across China's mountainous heartlands are not just relics of a bygone era. Zhang, who enlisted in the New Fourth Army at just 13, views these historical sites as living foundations. "They are not cold stones and houses," she said. "They are the root of us Chinese people."

Yet for decades, these old revolutionary base areas — the rural strongholds that forged the nation between 1927 and 1949 — faced a difficult paradox. While they held immense historical significance, their remote locations and rugged terrain left them with immense challenges trying to catch up with the nation's economic boom.

Today, a profound transformation is underway, driven by a strategic national commitment to revitalizing these areas, crystallized in the guidelines issued in March by the general offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on accelerating the revitalization of the country's old revolutionary base areas.

The policy framework charts a course to 2035, aiming to align the modernization of these regions with national goals by fostering self-sustaining, long-term growth. Moving beyond the heavily subsidized models of the past, the new vision leverages unique local assets — primarily the area's profound Red culture — and integrates them with modern industry, ecological conservation and rural vitalization.

Such integration is underway in Shanxi province, which is home to pivotal old revolutionary base areas such as those of the Eighth Route Army — a key force led by the CPC during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). Tian Yuehui, deputy curator of the Taihang Memorial Museum of the Eighth Route Army in Wuxiang county of Changzhi, has witnessed this shift unfold over her 26-year career.

Since its opening in 1988, the museum has evolved into a vibrant destination, said Tian. Last year, there were over 1.03 million visits, and it hosted more than 500 cultural and educational activities tailored to different visitor groups.

Tian added that beyond the museum itself, the local government has developed a cluster of cultural industry projects, including a dedicated cultural park and a peace square, to further promote the cultural legacy of the Eighth Route Army. These initiatives, she said, are injecting renewed vitality into the high-quality development of the old revolutionary base area.

"Empowering the cultural and tourism industry with its Red culture is not only the cultural mission of the region, but also the essential path for its vigorous development," Tian said. Supporting this momentum, local authorities have set a clear target of achieving annual direct tourism revenue of 3 billion yuan ($435.9 million) by 2035.

This local approach aligns with policy directions outlined in the national guidelines, which emphasize making historical heritage a dynamic engine for modern prosperity.

The policy document advocates for a multipronged strategy that fosters distinctive local industries; promotes coordinated regional and urban-rural development; shores up infrastructure and public services; strengthens support in education, science, technology and talent; and preserves and promotes the Red culture that defines these areas.

For people living and working in these areas, the ultimate measure of the policy's success lies in its impact on local economies and lives. In Jiangxi province, the synergy between Red tourism and rural entrepreneurship is creating tangible prosperity.

In Ruijin, the capital of the Chinese Soviet Republic founded by the CPC in 1931 in southern Jiangxi, the village of Zhufang once served as a vital logistics base for its provisional central government, hosting historical sites of key health and medical institutions. In recent years, Zhufang has used its Red heritage to cultivate a modern health and wellness economy, featuring the integrated development of tourism, homestay, healthcare, agriculture and other related industries.

"The most noticeable change here has been in the infrastructure and supporting facilities," said Wang Xinwen, who runs a homestay in Zhufang, citing the improved roads, lighting and sanitation. "These upgrades have directly enhanced the visitor experience, which translates into real benefits for our business," he said.

The homestay operator recalled a recent group of guests from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region that had only planned a brief stop. "They were genuinely surprised to find such a pleasant, beautiful place here in Ruijin," Wang said. "They enjoyed it so much that after just one night, they extended their stay."

Wang said he sees a growing demand for healthcare, wellness and study-tour services. "With great growth potential, this direction also aligns closely with the national push to revitalize old revolutionary base areas — a development path that not only promises individual business growth but also boosts the broader local tourism sector," he said.

Wang said he appreciates the government's investment in public infrastructure, which allows him to focus resources on service and experience upgrades. "Now, in partnership with the local government — with clear policy guidance and full support throughout the process — we feel much more confident and assured in developing this sector," he said.

The revitalization wave has also drawn a new generation back home. Zhong Dan, an entrepreneur in her 30s, returned to Ruijin from Beijing to launch an e-commerce platform selling local farm produce. "The decision was driven by a belief in the quality of eco-friendly farm produce in my hometown, and a desire to leverage my professional e-commerce experience to bring these local specialties to a wider national market," she said.

When Zhong and her husband first started their farm, however, village roads were underdeveloped, infrastructure was weak and the remote location made access difficult. The local government stepped in with substantial support, installing 10 street lamps for the farm at no cost. It also helped secure 900,000 yuan in village collective funds for infrastructure and assisted in obtaining an additional 300,000 yuan to reinforce a river embankment.

In recent years, the overall upgrading of the village and the boom in Ruijin's Red tourism have provided a direct boost to her venture. Last year, the farm achieved a turnover of 2 million yuan, offering a diverse range of products, including chickens, ducks, soft-shelled turtles, grass carp, honey, lotus seeds and mushrooms, as well as newly introduced rice and Camellia oil.

Zhong is optimistic about the development of the old revolutionary base area. "We are committed to promoting Ruijin's high-quality agricultural products and rich rural tourism resources, introducing our local specialties and beautiful landscapes to a broader audience," she said.

She voiced hope for continued government support for young e-commerce entrepreneurs.

"Access to more resources would enable businesses like ours to help increase incomes for more villagers," she added.

"By riding this wave of revitalization, we can grow through rural tourism, agricultural e-commerce and other ventures to build a better, more prosperous future for all."

Contact the writers at jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn