The Legacy of Yaks in China's Historic Long March and Local Economy

Nestled in the heart of Sichuan Province, Hongyuan County, aptly named "Red Grassland", stands as a living testament to China's revolutionary past and the vital role of yaks in both history and local development. With an area of around 747,000 hectares of stunning alpine meadows, this county is famed for its expansive grasslands and the Maiwa yak, a breed central to the region's pastoral economy.

Historical Significance of Yaks

In the 1930s, the Red Army undertook the monumental Long March, a strategic military retreat that would become the stuff of legend. Hongyuan was a critical location during this arduous journey, where the Red Army was supported by the local Tibetan and Qiang communities. Residents opened their homes, sharing their meager resources to help the soldiers who were marching for their survival and the country’s future.

Historical records indicate that over 15,000 tons of grain and more than 200,000 yaks were donated by local herders to the Red Army during its 16-month presence in the region. This sacrifice served not just to sustain the movement through challenging landscapes, but also highlighted the strong bond between the locals and the soldiers—all steered by a common purpose and a shared destiny.

The Maiwa yak, indigenous to this region, proved indispensable. Known for their resilience, these animals provided crucial support, offering meat for sustenance and hides for warmth. As local historian Yang Wenming reflects, the yaks were lifelines, and their contribution to the Red Army’s survival was profound. Mao Zedong himself referred to this chapter in history as the