In the magnificent epic of the Long March, the greatest test faced by the Red Army was not the well-known snow-capped mountains, but the little-known meadows - the Songpan steppe. This grassland is not only a dangerous situation for the natural environment, but also a test of the limit of the will to live.
A difficult journey through the meadows
In 1935, during the Long March, the Red Army faced a great challenge not only in the harsh natural environment, but also in the extreme test of survival. When they arrived at the Songpan grassland in the Maoergai region of Sichuan, they did not expect that the environment here would be completely different from the typical grassland. The Songpan steppe was actually a dangerous highland wetland full of unpredictable swamp traps, and these "man-eating" swamps posed a great threat to the Red Army.
The struggle and sacrifice of the Red Army
In the Songpan steppe, the Red Army encountered unprecedented difficulties. Not only do they have to contend with a constant state of starvation, but they also face the deadly threat of muddy swamps. Many soldiers inadvertently step into seemingly flat meadows, only to sink into bottomless mires. Due to the lack of sufficient experience and rescue equipment, many fighters struggled after falling into the swamp, which instead accelerated the sinking.
In the seven days and seven nights of crossing the grassland, the Red Army sacrificed 40,000 soldiers! The huge losses even exceeded the price of climbing the snowy mountains.
Changes in the Songpan Grassland
Over time, the Songpan grassland has undergone tremendous changes. From dangerous wetlands to fertile pastures, this transformation is a remarkable achievement in China's ecological governance and environmental protection. In the past, the marshy landform formed due to special geographical environment and climatic reasons has been effectively improved through large-scale drainage, reclamation and planting work. Today, the grassland is no longer a dangerous "man-eating" meadow, but an eco-friendly pasture and tourist destination.
The natural beauty and conservation of the Songpan grassland
Now the Songpan grassland attracts many tourists with its beautiful natural scenery. Attractions such as Zhaga Waterfall and Erdaohai have become the focus of people's exploration and appreciation.
At the same time, the ecological environment of the grassland has been effectively protected. The local government and herders have worked together to take a variety of measures to protect this precious grassland, including limiting the behavior of tourists to reduce the impact on the environment.
Witness of history and inheritance of spirit
The changes in the Songpan grassland not only witnessed China's development and progress, but also vividly embodied the spirit of the Long March. The enormous sacrifices made by the Red Army here have brought peace and prosperity to the land it is today.
Standing on the grassland and looking back on those difficult years, we deeply feel the great spirit of those heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country, and their sacrifice and courage are always worth remembering and inheriting.