The Long March inspires generations to keep going further

When the Central Red Army set out from Yudu, Jiangxi province, in 1934, no one knew what lay ahead. When the world-famous Long March (1934-36) finally came to an end, they could hardly have imagined what this strategic shift would come to mean to generations of Chinese people.

Ninety years after the victory, China Daily reporter Yan An retraced the route, returning to places where the Red Army once battled nature and adversity.

The snow-covered mountains once crossed by soldiers in straw sandals have become testing grounds for mountaineers challenging their limits. The raging rivers once crossed on makeshift bridges are now spanned by towering modern bridges, including the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, the world's highest bridge.

The landscapes have changed. But the spirit that carried people forward remains. The Long March was a journey that tested the limits of human endurance. Nine decades later, its path has become a starting point for generations to go further — to climb higher mountains, cross deeper waters and overcome new challenges.