Red tourism is big business, and it has grown rapidly in recent years. But what actually is red tourism, why is it growing and where does it take place? This article explains.
What is red tourism?
Red tourism is an interesting phenomenon. It relates to tourism which takes place in former and current ‘red countries’ – e.g communist countries! The most common examples are China and also Russia, but there are many others, as outlined below. Red tourism destinations offer an insight into what it is and was like to live under communism.
The term originates from China, which is why it is one of the most common examples of a red tourism destination. The Indian Express describes it as follows:
Launched in 2004, the purpose of the project is to promote locations with historical and cultural significance to the ruling Communist Party’s history while also providing an impetus to tourism and local businesses.
‘Red tourism’ seeks to spread awareness about the history of the Communist Party of China starting from its origins. For instance, historical events such as the Long March, the military retreat undertaken by the Red Army to evade the pursuit of the Kuomintang in 1934, and the ascent to power of Mao Zedong are at the heart of the project.
Why has the red tourism industry grown so fast?
There are several reasons why red tourism has grown in popularity. Many tourists are moving away from purely relaxing holidays towards trips where they can explore, learn and experience a destination in depth, which has boosted all forms of educational tourism.
Another reason for the growth in red tourism, in China at least, is definitely the support it gets from the government. Back in 2010, officials across 13 cities (listed below) signed the China Red Tourism Cities Strategic Cooperation Yan’an Declaration. They did so to advance red tourism across these areas in order to benefit the Party and the people in cultural, political and economic ways. They wanted to support/promote the national ethos, and also improve the socioeconomic development of these (rural and often poorer) areas of the country. These places are:
- Anyang
- Yulin
- Guang’an
- Zunyi
- Yan’an
- Xiangtan
- Ruijin
- Jinggangshan
- Baise
- Linyi
- Shijiazhuang
- Huining
- Qingyang
A third factor is curiosity about communism and life under communist regimes, particularly among younger people who did not experience the Cold War. A 2019 poll for the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, for example, found that around a third of US millennials viewed communism favourably. For many people, visiting red tourism sites is a way to learn about this history first-hand.
Video: What is red tourism and why is it growing so fast?
Who are red tourists?
Red tourists are essentially anyone engaging in red tourism activities. Visitors to China are not necessarily red tourists, of course, unless they engage with sites linked to communist history. Red tourists will actively engage in visiting and exploring museums, memorials, political bases, meeting sites and more. The Financial Express reported that 40% of tourists at red sites across China specifically are between the ages of 21 and 30. The vast majority of red tourists in China are domestic tourists, and red tourism received a major boost in 2021, when the Communist Party celebrated its centenary. However, international visitors also visit China’s red tourism sites, as well as those in other countries.
It may come as no surprise that most red tourists are actually Chinese. The ease of domestic red tourism is one thing, but Chinese tourists also enjoy visiting sites in other parts of the world that link to their communist heritage.
The benefits of red tourism
There are many benefits of red tourism, hence the Chinese government’s involvement. In China, it is used to promote the history and ideas of the Communist Party. On the flip side of this, red tourism in former red countries – Soviet and Balkan states, for example – serves as a reminder of the horrors that have happened under communism. In this way it is an example of dark tourism. Both of these things are helpful to different people with different ideologies.
It obviously brings money to certain areas that might not see many visitors otherwise. Museums charging entry fees, for example, and people running tours – these are income streams that come directly from red tourism. In China, red tourism generates billions of yuan in revenue every year, much of it in rural areas that receive few other visitors.
This type of tourism is of course a form of educational tourism. No matter which side of the argument you are on, there is no denying that visiting museums and places of historical and political interest is educational. Red tourism sites are used for school and university trips, and also help the general public to learn more about the history of communism.
Criticisms of red tourism
Red tourism is also criticised, particularly in China, where critics argue that this type of tourism presents a one-sided version of history that glorifies the ruling party and leaves out events such as the famine of the Great Leap Forward or the Cultural Revolution.
Others object to the commercialisation, or ‘Disneyfication’, of revolutionary and wartime sites. Some veterans and historians argue that sites associated with conflict and suffering should be treated as memorials and respected as such.
Popular red tourism attractions
China, as a communist country, has the most red tourism sites. Some of the most popular are listed below, along with sites in other countries.
China
Red tourism in China spans the entire country. The 13 cities listed earlier are heavily promoted. Five of the most popular locations are:
- Yan’an: Mao Zedong’s revolutionary base when the Red Army arrived at the end of 1935 following the Long March. It is considered somewhat of a ‘holy land’ for the communist party.
- Shaoshan: the hometown of Mao Zedong, a Chinese communist revolutionary. There are 82 individual red tourism spots here.
- Nanchang: capital of the Jiangxi Province, this is the site of the August 1 Nanchang Uprising of 1927, led by Zhou Enlai and He Long.
- Jinggang Mountain: not only is it beautiful, but this scenic mountain is actually home to 29 historical red tourism sites. These include the former residence of Mao Zedong as well as the first hospital for China’s Red Army, a revolution museum, and a battle site.
- Zunyi: this is the location of the Zunyi Conference, held in 1935 during the Long March. It was during this conference that Mao Zedong was first elected as the leader of the Communist Party of China.
Russia
Although Russia is no longer communist, sites linked to the Soviet Union have long attracted red tourists. However, since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many governments, including the UK, have advised against all travel to Russia. Key sites include:
- The Moscow Kremlin (Russian political residence)
- Red Square (site of official military parades and demonstrations by Soviet armed forces)
- Gorki Leninskiye (Vladimir Lenin’s second home)
- State Museum of Political History of Russia
- Museum of Soviet Arcade Games (located in St. Petersburg)
- Muzeon Sculpture Park, Moscow
Communist museums
There are many, many ‘museums of communism’ located in former communist countries. These are an accessible form of red tourism for European travellers, displaying everything from everyday objects, games and cars to propaganda, weapons and the stories of people who were persecuted. Examples include:
- The Museum of Communism, Prague, Czech Republic
- Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, Vilnius, Lithuania
- House of Terror Museum, Budapest, Hungary
- Museum of Life under Communism, Warsaw, Poland
- The Stasi Museum, Berlin Germany
- The Museum of Occupations, Tallinn, Estonia
- Museum of Soviet Vehicles, Järva-Jaani, Estonia
- The Corner House, Riga, Latvia
Other
There are other sites that are key to red tourism. They exist worldwide, and may be home to monuments, museums or landmarks. Some of these include:
- The Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany
- Moncada Barracks, Santiago de Cuba
- Grūtas Park, Druskininkai, Lithuania
- Memento Park, Budapest, Hungary
- Vinh, Nghe An, Vietnam
- Neon Museum, Warsaw, Poland
- Buzludzha Monument, Bulgaria
- House of Flowers, Belgrade, Serbia
- Finca Birán, Cuba
- Hỏa Lò Prison (the ‘Hanoi Hilton’), Hanoi, Vietnam
North Korea, one of the few remaining communist states, is an extreme example of red tourism. Tourism is tightly controlled, and Western tourists were only briefly allowed back, on a limited basis, in 2025 after the country closed its borders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Red tourism: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about red tourism.
What is red tourism?
Red tourism is tourism to sites associated with communist history, in current or former communist countries. The term originated in China, where the government launched a programme in 2004 to promote sites linked to the history of the Communist Party.
Where does red tourism take place?
Red tourism mainly takes place in China, but also in Russia, Vietnam, Cuba, North Korea and former communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states.
What are examples of red tourism sites?
Examples include Yan’an, Shaoshan (Mao Zedong’s birthplace) and Jinggangshan in China, Red Square in Moscow, the Berlin Wall, the House of Terror in Budapest and the Museum of Communism in Prague.
Why is red tourism popular in China?
Red tourism in China is heavily promoted by the government to strengthen patriotism and support economic development in poorer rural areas. Many visitors are domestic tourists, including students and Communist Party members on organised trips.
Is red tourism a type of dark tourism?
Sometimes. Red tourism in former communist countries, such as visits to secret police prisons or memorials to victims, can be considered dark tourism, while red tourism in China tends to celebrate communist history.
Red tourism- further reading
If you found this article on red tourism useful, you may also find these articles helpful-
- Educational tourism: Everything you need to know
- Dark tourism explained: What, why and where
- Cultural tourism explained
- Religious tourism explained
- Slum tourism: What is it and how does it work?
