The village of Shaoshan is 130km (80 miles) southwest of the provincial capital Changsha. The small size of the village belies its importance - as the birthplace of Mao Zedong, Shaoshan holds great significance to many Chinese.

During the Cultural Revolution and at the height of the Mao personality cult, more than 3 million "pilgrims" visited the childhood town of the "Great Helmsman". The railway and road links as well as the Museum of Comrade Mao, were all built in this era to support the influx of visitors.

Today, although less in number, tourists continue to visit Shaoshan. The memory of Mao continues to live on, with stores selling everything from Mao badges to Mao karaoke videos, and restaurants serving Mao's favorite dishes.
Despite all the tourists, Shaoshan has not lost its quaint pastoral charm - traditional adobe houses are nestled between green hills and lush paddy fields. Visitors can also visit the childhood home of another high-ranking, though admittedly less famous CCP leader, Liu Shaoqi.

Mao's Childhood House is a nondescript adobe building set next to a lotus-filled pond. Born on December 26, 1893, Mao lived a comfortable childhood here with his 3 siblings as part of a relatively wealthy peasant family.

The home is neat and simply arranged with original furniture from the period and photographs of young Mao and his parents.