Across China: "Red instructors" in revolutionary heartland amid tourism boom

She is no actress and has no interest in warfare, but Yang Lishan, 35, spends almost every day dressed as a Red Army soldier.

A tour guide in Yeping Revolutionary Scenic Area in Ruijin City in east China's Jiangxi Province, she tells visitors the history of the Red Army on a daily basis, and is among scores of the "Hongsejiangjieyuan" (red instructors) in Ruijin.

Jiangxi was center of the early revolutionary activities of the Communist Party of China and in recent years "red tours" have expanded, with visitors taken to places where revolutionary figures once lived and worked. Last year, the province calculated that the tours had generated revenue of 109 billion yuan (16.6 billion U.S. dollars).

Yang is one of 40 red instructors in Ruijin. A typical day for her begins by putting on her uniform around 8:30 a.m. She braids her hair into two long plaits and dons an octagonal Red Army hat and a pair of cloth shoes. Most days, she and eight colleagues lead five groups of visitors, with seven to eight hours spent telling stories.

In 2003, various localities in Jiangxi began to use guides in revolutionary attractions who usually wear modern army uniforms or suits.

"Ruijin is where the Long March began, so it makes sense to wear the distinctive uniform," Yang said.

Qualifying as a Hongsejiangjieyuan is not easy. It's not just about telling stories, the candidates should be able to sing and dance.

"When telling stories, we often incorporate patriotic songs and dancing to make it more interesting," Yang said.

Yang and her colleagues attend vigorous training sessions at night, learning etiquette, standard mandarin and history, as well as how to sing and dance.

"When I first started leading tour groups, I was extremely shy and uncomfortable that I could not carry a tune," Yang said. "Now I have become more outgoing."

Last year, Ruijin received 6.15 million tourists generating revenue of 2.25 billion yuan and the city plans to employ more guides like Yang to meet rising demand.

Off work, Yang's favorite things to are babysitting, yoga and reading Chinese history, but when she puts on the Red Army uniform, she "feels like a Red Army soldier" with the responsibility to relive the spirit of those who died fighting a new China.

"The hardworking spirit of the Red Army should be preserved and promoted in the modern society," she said. "I feel very proud to pass on this spirit to more people." Endi