Shaoshan, the hometown of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, has become an attractive tourist destination in recent years.

The famous Chinese village hosted more than 1 million visitors in the first four months this year, up 68 percent over last year's same period, The daily number of visitors exceeds 15,000, according to village officials.

The name of Mao Zedong, one of the founders of New China, also means fortune to locals.

Years ago, Tan Ruiren, a woman villager in Shaoshan, launched Mao's restaurant, which sells foods said to be the favorites of Mao Zedong. Now, she operates 82 chain restaurants nationwide. Tang turned in 32 million yuan (US$3.87 million) in taxes to the state last year.

Tian Haiming, curator of the Shaoshan Xuritang Collection Hall,said that he has a collection of several thousand of Mao Zedong's badges, pictures, calligraphy works and souvenirs carrying Mao's image.

"Such kinds of souvenirs are favored by visitors to Shaoshan," said Tian, who has held many exhibitions in Shaoshan, Jinggangshan, Wuhan, Guangdong and Beijing, attracting millions ofvisitors.

Shaoshan hosted 2.3 milion tourists last year and made a profitof more than 300 million yuan (US$36.27 million). The per capita income of local farmers reached 6,200 yuan (US$750) last year, much higher than the national average.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2005)