[Pakistan] Hafeezullah Qazi, Northwestern Polytechnical University

In October 2021, I participated in the social practice of the trip to northern Shaanxi Province organized by the school, and embarked on a historical journey to Yan’an. It was a hot land of revolution, with an air of leadership and the power of ideas. Now, two years later, back home in Pakistan, I am still deeply affected by that trip.

Stepping on the land of Yan’an, I felt as if I had entered a historical dream. The scenery, Tower Mountain, Revolutionary Memorial Hall, caves, revolutionary ruins and other places here seem to take me back to the past. For me, Yan’an is not just a place, but a vivid textbook, a source of strength.

Coming to the Yan’an Revolution Memorial Hall, the exhibits in the museum vividly show the various stages of Chinese history, especially the firmness and unity of the Chinese people during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which not only made me understand how much suffering that the Chinese people had experienced before hearing Chairman Mao declared that “the Chinese people have stood up from now on,” but also gave me a deep understanding of the roots of China’s development and the tenacious spirit of the Chinese people. This understanding has changed my perception, enriched my cognition and strengthened my admiration for China and the Chinese people.

I strolled along the trail in Yangjialing to get a glimpse of the early base of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. I saw the caves in those old revolutionary base areas and recalled the spirit of the Seventh National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Yan’an Forum on Literature and Art. I seem to have seen the struggle of those revolutionary martyrs day and night, and their heroism and perseverance have deeply inspired me. At the same time, I also learned more about how they found strength in difficulties and how they stuck to their beliefs in the face of challenges. In Yangjiagou, I witnessed the great turning point of the Chinese revolution, and a unique character of the Communist Party of China that has the courage to revolutionize itself.

This trip to Yan’an made me deeply realize that only by continuous learning and exploration can I be more confident on the road in the future. I transcend the boundaries of time and geography to reflect deeply on the country’s glorious history and achievements, and to explore the resilience of human spirit, and the nature of revolution and transformation. This journey has become a part of my outlook on life and illuminates my path forward.

Now, when I return to Pakistan and sit in my study, the memories of Yan’an are still as vivid as yesterday. I will take the memories of this trip, as well as the strength and wisdom I draw from this part of history, to face the challenges of life and to fight for my dreams. I look forward to returning to Yan’an again on a historical trip, reliving the stories of those revolutions, and experiencing that shocking sense of history again.

 I hope that in the future, I can share my understanding and perception of the history of the Communist Party of China with more people, so that more people can understand this great country and its people. After all, to understand history is to understand human beings themselves, and only by understanding the past can we better face the present and strive for a better life in the future.