Abstract: Under the dual influence of Chinese excellent traditional culture and Marxism, and under the dual needs of both development and innovation, Mao Zedong creatively explored the combination of the basic principles of Marxism and China’s excellent traditional culture. This includes: not only based on the understanding, expression, application and development of Chinese excellent traditional culture, but also insisting on the correct attitude of examining Chinese traditional culture with Marxism; not only using Chinese excellent traditional culture to express and interpret Marxism, but also using Marxism as a guide to create excellent Chinese traditional culture. Scientific methods of transformation and innovative development; put forward a series of original discourses such as seeking truth from facts, mass line, and meritocracy. Mao Zedong’s exploration of promoting the “second combination” enlightens us that we should treat Marxism and the excellent Chinese traditional culture with a correct attitude, find the fit between Marxism and the excellent Chinese traditional culture, and constantly improve the scientific method of practicing the “second combination”in the new era.