From Desolation to Revival: The Transformative Journey of the Zoige Grassland

In August 1935, the Red Army arrived at the Zoige Grassland, known as the "forbidden zone of life," during their Long March. This area, riddled with countless swamps and soft mud, was the most arduous part of the journey. It is estimated that within just seven days, 16,000 Red Army soldiers heroically sacrificed their lives on this grassland, a history that still tugs at our heartstrings to this day. Now, more than 80 years later, how has this "man-eating" grassland changed?

In August 1935, the Red Army finally emerged from the vast grassland. As the last group of Red Army soldiers set foot on solid ground, they all took a deep breath involuntarily, as if to expel the suffocation of the past seven days. The soldiers' uniforms were no longer recognizable in their original colors, all soaked and encrusted with thick layers of mud and sweat. Their faces and hands were covered with swollen red bites from mosquitoes, some even festering and ulcerating. Many people had no shoes on their feet, and their bare feet, soaked in the muddy water for too long, had turned white and wrinkled, making every step feel like walking on a knife's edge. Their eyes revealed complex emotions; some showed relief at surviving, but more were filled with deep sorrow and confusion. On this endless grassland, they had lost too many comrades.

A young soldier squatted on the ground, holding an old military cap in both hands, the only relic left by his closest comrade-in-arms. They had promised to walk out of the grassland together, but on a rainy night, his comrade never rose from the quagmire again. Another veteran sat quietly on a rock, staring into the distance. Countless images flashed before his eyes: the struggling figures of his comrades in the mud, the hungry soldiers sharing wild grass roots, and the eyes of the comrades who could never stand up again before their deaths.

According to statistics, more than 16,000 Red Army soldiers remained on this grassland forever, within just seven days. So, what did they experience? According to the recollections of veterans, before setting out, they inquired about the situation from the nearby Tibetan villagers. The villagers said that this vast grassland, located between northwestern Sichuan and southeastern Qinghai, was a rarely visited swamp area. An elderly man warned them, "This grassland is very dangerous; many people from our village have entered and never returned." Another villager added, "It's always damp there, with swamps everywhere; if you're not careful, you'll sink in."

Despite hearing these warnings, the Red Army soldiers were still determined to move forward. They knew that only by crossing this grassland could they escape the pursuit of the Nationalist Army. Before departing, the Red Army used their last bit of money to buy some food from the villagers for backup. On the first day of stepping onto the grassland, the Red Army faced a severe test. The morning started with a clear sky and scorching sun, with soldiers sweating profusely. However, by the afternoon, the weather changed dramatically, with dark clouds, lightning, thunder, and heavy rain pouring down.

The already muddy grassland became even more difficult to traverse, with each step feeling like a struggle with the quagmire. As night fell, the cold swept in. The climate of the grassland was extremely harsh, with an average annual temperature below freezing. The heavy rain during the day soaked the soldiers' thin clothes, and the cold wind made them shiver. Some soldiers tried to make a fire for warmth, but the wet grass simply wouldn't ignite, leaving them to huddle together to barely get through the long night.

However, even in such difficult circumstances, the Red Army soldiers maintained high morale. No one complained, no one retreated; they knew that as long as they persevered, they would definitely overcome the difficulties. Whenever a comrade was physically exhausted, others would take the initiative to help, carrying him and continuing to move forward. On the fifth day of the march through the grassland, a heavy fog enveloped the entire area, reducing visibility to less than five meters and making the team's progress extremely difficult. Commanders had to frequently stop to confirm the direction for fear of taking a wrong path. At this time, a scout discovered a relatively dry highland, and the team decided to take a short rest there. Taking advantage of the break, the soldiers tried to wring out their clothes and replenish their strength. Experienced veterans taught everyone how to weave simple shoe covers from grass to prevent sinking into the mud. Despite the difficult situation, the soldiers still managed to find some edible plant roots and stems, cooking them into a thin porridge to satiate their hunger.

During the arduous journey through the grassland, food supply became a serious issue as the carried dry rations quickly became moldy and inedible in the damp environment. Hunger began to erode everyone's bodies and willpower. At this time, some brave soldiers volunteered to risk their lives trying various wild plants in hopes of finding something to eat. One day, a young soldier found a type of wild grass that looked edible. He carefully picked a leaf and chewed it cautiously. Initially, it tasted a little bitter, but there were no immediate signs of poisoning.

He continued to eat some more, waited for a while, and after confirming no significant discomfort, he reported back to his comrades. This act of risking his life to find food for everyone touched everyone's hearts. However, not all attempts were so fortunate. Once, a soldier suffered severe abdominal pain and vomiting after trying an unknown berry. Fortunately, an experienced military doctor in the team provided timely treatment, saving the soldier from danger. After this incident, everyone became more cautious, but the effort to find food never stopped.

In this difficult march, the performance of female soldiers was no less remarkable than that of the male soldiers. One day, the team found a small patch of wild barley. However, the barley still had a hard husk, and eating it directly would harm the mouth and stomach. Without tools, several female soldiers took on the task of husking the barley. They rubbed the barley continuously with their hands, trying to remove the hard husk. This process was extremely difficult, and the sharp husk quickly blistered the soldiers' palms.

But they gritted their teeth and endured the pain to continue working. After several hours of effort, their palms were bloody and raw, but they finally husked a batch of barley. This hard-won food became a precious source of energy for the entire team to continue moving forward. During the journey through the grassland, disease also became a serious threat. Due to the long-term march in the damp and cold environment, coupled with malnutrition, many soldiers' health deteriorated. Especially for some soldiers who had previously contracted malaria, the disease began to recur in this harsh environment.

A young soldier, feeling the symptoms of malaria appearing during the march, knew that if he continued to follow the team, he would not only slow down the team's progress but also might infect other comrades. After careful consideration, he voluntarily proposed to leave the team. This decision shocked and distressed everyone, and the commander tried to persuade him to stay, promising to find a way to take care of him. But the soldier insisted on his decision, saying, "My departure is to allow more comrades to safely reach their destination. This is the last thing I can do for the revolution." With reluctance, the soldier left behind his only dry rations and medicine, then walked alone into the vast grassland. This spirit of sacrificing personal interests for the collective good deeply touched everyone's hearts.

In this way, through countless ordinary yet great stories, the Red Army soldiers step by step crossed this grassland, known as the "land of death." They composed deeply moving odes to heroes with their own flesh and blood, paving the way for the victory of the Chinese revolution.

The grassland that the Red Army struggled through has undergone earth-shaking changes. This area, once known as the "land of death," has now become a vibrant, modern region with convenient transportation. Broad and flat asphalt roads have replaced the muddy swamps of the past, allowing cars to easily travel through. Moreover, the construction of the Zoige Airport has given wings to this grassland.

Now, people can take a plane from big cities like Beijing and Shanghai to here in just a few hours, greatly reducing travel time. The improvement of transportation has driven the development of the entire region. To improve the living conditions of local residents, the government has implemented a relocation project for poverty alleviation. Many residents who originally lived in areas with harsh conditions and frequent natural disasters have moved to well-equipped new villages. These new villages not only have sturdy houses but also come with modern infrastructure such as running water, electricity, and the internet.

In terms of industrial development, the local government has vigorously promoted eco-tourism. The unique landscape of the grassland, rich wildlife resources, and strong Tibetan cultural atmosphere have attracted a large number of tourists. Many local residents have started running homestays, restaurants, or becoming tour guides, earning considerable income from the tourism industry. At the same time, the government also focuses on protecting and developing Tibetan traditional culture, regularly holding various cultural festivals and events, which not only inherit tradition but also add new highlights to the tourism industry.

The improvement of medical and educational infrastructure is also significant. Now, every township has its own health clinic, equipped with basic medical equipment and common medicines. Some larger towns have even established comprehensive hospitals that can handle more complex diseases. In terms of education