Photos from Mao Zedong's hometown
Mark MacKinnon and John Lehmann discover that in Shaoshan, Mao Zedong is Mao the devout Communist, Mao the great military leader, Mao the poet, Mao the dutiful son. Left out entirely is Mao the madman whose ideological campaigns led to the deaths of tens of millions of Chinese and the impoverishment of the entire country.
Mao Zedong memorabilia for sale in Mao's Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
Mao Zedong memorabilia for sale in Mao’s Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
Pilgrimages at the Mao Zedong memorial in Mao’s Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
Pilgrimages snap photos at the Mao Zedong memorial in Mao’s Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
People’s Armed Police salute during a flower placing ceremony at the Mao Zedong memorial in Mao’s Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
People's Armed Police and Mao devotees during a flower placing ceremony at the Mao Zedong memorial in Mao’s Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
A cleaner sweeps up before a flower placing ceremony at the Mao Zedong memorial in Mao's Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
People's Armed Police and Mao devotes during a flower placing ceremony at the Mao Zedong memorial in Mao's Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
Flowers are taken away at the end of the day from the Mao Zedong memorial in Mao's Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
A Mao devote pays her respects at the Mao Zedong memorial in Mao’s Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
Police stand guard at the Mao Zedong memorial in Mao's Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
A Mao devote pays her respects at the Mao Zedong memorial in Mao’s Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
Flowers are taken away at the end of the day from the Mao Zedong memorial in Mao’s Home Town of Shaoshan, China January 12, 2013.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail