On the first day, meet your guide at 7:30am opposite the main entrance to Beijing West Station (North Square) to collect your tickets and receive a brief introduction to the tour. You will then board the G401 high-speed train from Beijing West Station to Shaoshan, Chairman Mao’s hometown in Hunan province, with the journey running from 9:15am to 5:04pm. Upon arrival, check into our local hotel and enjoy a traditional dinner at Mao Family Restaurant, owned by Mrs. Yang, a well-known local figure and shrewd entrepreneur who famously met Chairman Mao in her youth. This is the best opportunity to meet her, so we will be keeping our eyes open! After dinner, there will be a night-time exploration of Shaoshan, visiting key historical sites such as the old train station, Mao’s Youth Park, and the Martyrs’ Memorial Tower. The day concludes with an overnight stay in Shaoshan.

Begin your morning with breakfast at the hotel before setting off to explore Shaoshan. Your first stop is Chairman Mao’s ancestral home, a popular site where Chinese 'red tourists' often dress in Red Army uniforms to pay tribute to the Chairman. For lunch, enjoy a traditional dish of Hunan noodles. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of the town, starting at Mao Zedong Square with its grand statue of the Chairman. Visit Nan’an School, where Mao began his education, followed by the Mao Zedong Memorial Museum and the Relic Hall, which houses personal artefacts and photographs from his early years. In the evening, dine on local Hunanese cuisine, including Mao’s favourite dish, hong shao rou, braised pork. For an optional evening experience, watch Mao Zedong of China, a stunning performance with hundreds of dancers, singers, and acrobats showcasing key moments in Mao’s life and China’s history, from colonialism to the founding of the People’s Republic. The hour-and-a-half show, costing around 240 RMB, is a spectacle of technology and direction. Conclude your evening with an overnight stay in Shaoshan.

After breakfast, we venture out of town to explore the scenic Hunan countryside. Our first stop is a climb over a small hill to the Dripping Water Cave, where Mao Zedong held semi-secret meetings during the Cultural Revolution. For lunch, we enjoy a dish of Changsha Rice Noodles before boarding the high-speed rail to Luohe city in Henan province (1:12pm – 6:08pm). Upon arrival, we check into our hotel in Luohe city centre, a small and rarely visited city that offers a glimpse into a side of urban China far removed from the typical tourist destinations. In the evening, head to the lively night market in the city centre for barbecue and beers, immersing yourself in the local atmosphere. Overnight in Luohe.

Start the morning with a peaceful walk around the square, enjoying the revolutionary music that fills the village air as the red-orange dawn breaks over Nanjiecun. After soaking in the atmosphere, we transfer back to Luohe to catch the G336 high-speed rail to Beijing (1:55pm-5:58pm). During the journey, you can reflect on the week’s experiences, read through any materials you've picked up, or discuss the ideas of collectivism with fellow travellers. Lunch will be Nanjiecun noodles served on the train. On arrival in Beijing, we check into the centrally located Zhong Gu Hotel and take some time to freshen up. In the evening, head out for dinner and drinks in the capital, preparing for the final day of this unique political and societal journey. Overnight in Beijing.