On world heritage map for five years, China's Liangzhu
Archaeological Site radiates with unique civilization charm
On July 6, China ushered in the Minor Heat in the twenty-four solar
terms, marking the approach of scorching hot weather. For Hangzhou,
the capital city of Zhejiang Province in eastern China, this day
also heralds a series of activities to mark the fifth "Hangzhou
Liangzhu Day" and the fifth anniversary of the inclusion of
the Liangzhu Archaeological Site to into the World Heritage list.
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Organized by the Hangzhou Liangzhu Archaeological Administrative
District Management Committee, these activities, including
cross-cultural dialogues and exhibitions, seek to showcase the
Liangzhu culture and make Liangzhu known to the world, establishing
it as a cultural heritage site of global importance.
"Liangzhu" means "beautiful land in the water". The
Liangzhu Ancient City was an early state with urban civilization
during the Neolithic period in the lower Yangtze River region.
Within its vast archaeological site, a large number of remains
such as river channels, carbonized rice, jade artifacts, and burial
sites have provided evidence of a complex water management system,
mature rice production, unified cultural beliefs, and
differentiated social classes.
These discoveries unveil the material civilization and spiritual
world of an ancient civilization dating back approximately 5,300 to
4,300 years ago, serving as a unique testament to China's over five
thousand years of civilization.
On July 6, 2019, during the 43rd session of the UNESCO World
Heritage Committee held in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, the
Liangzhu Archaeological Site was approved to be included in the
World Heritage List. It became the 55th World Heritage site in
China and filled the gap in the World Heritage list for Neolithic
urban archaeological sites in East Asia.
As a World Heritage site, it is required to regularly submit
heritage site evaluation reports to UNESCO. One crucial aspect of
these reports is heritage monitoring.
Benefiting from Hangzhou's advanced digital technology, the
Liangzhu Archaeological Site has addressed the challenge of
monitoring a wide range of points within its vast area with limited
manpower through the utilization of digital technology.
Covering the excavation, protection, research, and utilization
of cultural relics, the Hangzhou Liangzhu Archaeological
Administrative District Management Committee has developed a set of
digital applications to establish an intelligent governance system
for the invaluable ruins.
In the monitoring hall of the site's monitoring and management
center, staff members can simply click their mouse to instantly
monitor real-time images from different locations within the site,
achieving efficient and timely monitoring of the cultural
relics.
Preserving the Liangzhu Archaeological Site is not only about
protection but also about bringing it to life.
With the aid of technologies such as 5G, VR, and AR, people can
not only witness the scenes of the Liangzhu ancestors but also
"travel back in time" to 5,000 years ago and engage in
activities such as hunting, fishing, and participating in rituals
alongside the ancient inhabitants.
Meanwhile, the representative elements of Liangzhu culture have
been incorporated into a diverse range of cultural and creative
products.
From blind box dolls inspired by the Liangzhu ancestors to
jewelry accessories crafted with inspiration from unearthed jade
artifacts, Liangzhu-themed products have gained popularity among
tourists. Presently, over 700 Liangzhu-themed products have been
developed, forming a rich Liangzhu cultural derivative
portfolio.
"The Liangzhu Archaeological Site has formed a complete
exhibition system consisting of the Liangzhu Museum and three
archaeological parks," according to an official with the
site's management committee. Since 2019, the site has welcomed over
9 million visitors, showcasing its significance and popularity
among tourists.
In addition to promoting Liangzhu culture domestically through
developing cultural tourism, Hangzhou is also striving to promote
Liangzhu culture globally and enhance the international influence
of Chinese civilization through various means.
In the autumn of 2023, Hangzhou hosted the 19th Asian Games. The
Liangzhu cultural elements were deeply integrated into every aspect
of the Games, ranging from the torch, mascot, and medal designs to
the construction of venues, the collection and transmission of the
Asian Games flame, and the opening and closing ceremonies. These
creative combinations have showcased a unique Oriental romance to
the world.
At the end of 2023, the inaugural Liangzhu Forum was held in
Hangzhou. Over 300 Chinese and foreign guests gathered at the
Liangzhu Archaeological Site, which refreshed their understanding
of Chinese civilization.
In 2020, the Hangzhou's legislative body passed legislation to
establish July 6 as "Hangzhou Liangzhu Day."
To mark the special day, the Liangzhu Archaeological Site has
engaged in dialogue with other world heritage sites such as
Stonehenge in London, the Acropolis in Athens, and will communicate
with the ancient city of Toledo in Spain this year. Through these
exchanges, they explore innovations and the future of heritage
preservation.
Currently, Hangzhou is developing the Liangzhu Cultural
Corridor, which aims to connect the about 5,000-year-old Liangzhu
culture, the over 2,000-year-old canal culture, the over
1,000-year-old Jing Shan culture, and modern digital culture.
The goal is to transform the Liangzhu Archaeological Site Park
into a cultural pilgrimage site and a cultural tourism destination
that embodies enriched connotations, innovative achievements, and
unique charm.
Source: Hangzhou Liangzhu Archaeological Administrative District
Management Committee