Zuyi, the second largest city in Guizhou, is the site of the famous Zunyi Meeting and something of a mecca for those with an interest in Chinese Communist Party (CCP) history. The Zunyi Meeting dates back to 1934, when the communists set out the Long March. By mid-December they had reached Zunyi, where the communist leaders took stock of their situation in the now-famous Zunyi Meeting. Though it would be another 10 years before chairman Mao became leader of the Communist Party, this event was a pivotal factor in his rise to power.
Today the Zunyi Meeting Site, built in the early 1930s, is set within an old colonial-style house whose rooms are filled with CCP memorabilia.
Zunyi is rich in natural heritage, with such captivating scenery as the Chishui He (Red Water River), green bamboo forests and grand waterfalls. Indigenous trees are well protected, some like the dove tree being quite rare.
Zunyi's other claim to fame comes in a bottle. Maotai, China's national wine appreciated for its heady fragrance and distinct flavor is brewed in Maotai County. It is said that China's national leaders offer Maotai to entertain foreign honored guests and the wine is gathering a good reputation internationally.
Like other cities in Guizhou, Zunyi is also a settlement of ethnic minorities, who have many unique festivals of their own. One example is the Gelo Festival on March 3rd of the lunar calendar. At this time of year, the Gelo ethnic minority group offers meat, wine and rice in worship to their own gods and asks for protection in the year ahead.
As China increases its efforts to develop the west of the country, this is already providing new opportunities for Zunyi, bringing more visitors to appreciate the scenery, wine and unique lifestyle of the area.
