The Chishui River valley holds a significant place in Chinese Communist Party history as the site of the "Four Crossings" during the Long March of 1935. The battle is commemorated at several points along the river valley, where markers and small museums explain the tactical situation that led the Red Army to cross and recross this river in mid-winter as part of the manoeuvre that eventually allowed the Long March to continue north.
The history is intertwined with the landscape: the crossings took place at specific fords and small towns whose names are still familiar to every Chinese student. For travellers interested in twentieth-century Chinese history, visiting the Chishui area adds a layer to the otherwise natural-scenery-focused trip. The Four Crossings Museum in Tucheng Town (about 30 kilometres from Chishui city) is the most comprehensive account of the battle, with maps, photographs, and personal accounts from surviving participants.