CNN has the details.
Although the concept of “red tourism” has been around for decades, it wasn’t officially included in the country’s national tourism plan until 2004. Some analysts say it presents a doctored version of history — others going so far as to call it outright brainwashing.
China’s current strongman leader Xi Jinping has promoted “red tourism” numerous times since coming to power in late 2012, fueling rapid growth of this once niche segment among local governments and domestic tourists.
As a result, “red sites” have expanded greatly across the country in recent years — spotlighting everything from memorials to the Communist revolution to trees planted by Communist leaders.
You’ll notice the shot taken at Xi and China, of course.