Shaoshan 2

Shaoshan became imbued with tremendous symbolic power. As Mao's birthplace it was also, by extension, the birthplace of his writings, the Communist Party, and the 9th National Congress. Despite its significance, which was perhaps equal to that of Tiananmen, Shaoshan became increasingly abstracted and isolated. Through accident and/or design, Shaoshan evolved into a flat, two-dimensional icon.