General Ridge – The Xibaipo General Ridge Patriotic Education Base for was opened to tourists in September, thus providing a new route for “red tourism” connecting Shanxi and Hebei provinces and extending to all areas in northern China. It is forecast that this locale will be a new site for economic growth for Xibaipo’s tourism.

General Ridge, 1,494 meters above sea level, is the highest point of the Wacha Mountains in Xiaokou township, Pingshan county. Covering an area of 20 square kilometers, this strategically located terrain is a key military passage from northwest China to northern China, which was a theatre of war contested by all strategists. During the War of Liberation, our army fought many crucial battles against the Guomindang[Kuomintang - in other files] troops here, thus blocking their plans for reinforcing their positions in northern China with their troops to the northwest, and playing an important role in facilitating the shift of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China from Xibaipo to Beijing and the founding of the new China.

Up to now, General Ridge has retained its primeval appearance. In the spring, brilliant wildflowers in full bloom are seen everywhere. Summers are cool here, with blankets of mist covering the mountains; while in autumn the leaves turn red and ripe fruit hang heavy on the trees. In winter the sun shines brightly and the breeze blows gently at the foot of the mountains, with the peaks above capped by snow. The scenery here boasts of both the elegance of the south and the grandeur of the north.    

With the development of tourism, it is forecast that “red tourism” mainly comprised of revolutionary historical sites will become more and more popular. An old revolutionary base area with beautiful scenery, Xibaipo attracts over one million visitors each year. The opening of General Ridge to tourists will become a new growth point for Xibaipo’s tourism and help the 10,000 local residents shake off poverty.