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Overlooking Qiaojiaqu: Red stars on cave dwellings, the true spirit of the Long March

From above, ancient cave dwellings nestled in the loess hills of Pengyang County, Guyuan City, in northwestern China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, are marked with bright red stars. This is Qiaojiaqu. In October 1935, after crossing Mount Liupan, Mao Zedong and the Central Red Army stayed overnight at the former residence of Qiao Shengkui. Despite the harsh conditions, they spent a brief night in a cave dwelling before pressing on toward northern Shaanxi the next day.

These cave dwellings and courtyards, crowned with red stars, embody the true essence of the Long March. It was never an abstract concept, but rather the sheer determination to keep moving forward in the darkest and most difficult of times. Looking back at this humble campsite today is a heartfelt tribute to an extraordinary journey.

Overlooking Qiaojiaqu: Red stars on cave dwellings, the true spirit of the Long March
Overlooking Qiaojiaqu: Red stars on cave dwellings, the true spirit of the Long March
Overlooking Qiaojiaqu: Red stars on cave dwellings, the true spirit of the Long March
Overlooking Qiaojiaqu: Red stars on cave dwellings, the true spirit of the Long March
Overlooking Qiaojiaqu: Red stars on cave dwellings, the true spirit of the Long March
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