"Great Helmsman" remembered with run, music, noodles (3)

Hot noodles were prepared in restaurants and hotels across Shaoshan.

Each year, people get a free bowl of noodles on Mao's birthday, said Mao Yushi, a local official.

"We want to express our gratitude to him in a simple way; to offer free noodles for visitors. Now, it has become a tradition," he said.

Gu Yimin, a 64-year-old photographer, said it took him about 20 hours on the train to get to Shaoshan from his hometown of Hangzhou a decade ago. Now, the journey takes only about five hours.

"Over the years many things have changed, but one thing that remains is my deepest respect for Mao Zedong," he said.

Mao died on Sept. 9, 1976.

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