Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture in Central China's Hunan province has undertaken proactive integration of local red resources with ideological and political education in recent years, creating the "Starting from Shibadong Village" brand.

The education and sports bureau of the prefecture aims to establish a new educational framework that combines "online + offline" and "in-class + out-of-school" approaches to foster student development.

Ideological education in Xiangxi moves beyond textbooks, bringing lessons into the natural and historical landscapes. Students walk through red heritage sites, witness the transformation of their hometowns, and understand the pulse of the times, rooting their beliefs in real-life experiences.

Students on a study tour. [Photo/Hunan Today]

Shibadong village, the birthplace of China's "targeted poverty alleviation" initiative, holds significant historical and spiritual value. According to Xie Qiang, an official from the prefecture's education and sports bureau, each county has developed study-tour routes centered on Shibadong village, linking sites such as Aizhai Bridge and Fenghuang Maglev with educational resources on revolutionary history and technological innovation.

"This creates a comprehensive network of ideological education across the prefecture, and helps students understand that the transformation of Shibadong village is not an isolated case but a microcosm of the changes in their hometown and the development of the new era," Xie said.

Students like Yang Jiaxin from Huayuan County Junior High School have gained a deeper understanding of "targeted poverty alleviation" through a visit to Shibadong Village. "I used to have a vague understanding of 'targeted poverty alleviation', but after visiting Shibadong village, I realized it is actually embedded in the energetic everyday lives of the villagers," Yang said.

This year, over 61,000 students have embarked on such study tours, witnessing and reflecting on changes in their homeland.

The prefecture's education and sports bureau, in collaboration with the local broadcasting station, launched the "Starting from Shibadong Village" online program, which has reached over 1 million views.

Students experience the crafts of intangible cultural heritage. [Photo/Hunan Today]

Local schools take an active approach to incorporating local resources into their ideological education, fostering a rich campus culture.

Peng Jiabei, vice-principal of the Primary School Affiliated to Jishou University, emphasized that ideological education is not about advocating for grand theories but about using real stories and local role models to help children grow through immersive experience.

This comprehensive approach transforms ideological education into a tangible and life-enriching experience, rooting patriotism and responsibility in students' hearts, Peng said.

In the future, Xiangxi aims to explore its red culture further, guide students to develop a correct worldview, and inspire them to contribute to national development.