By tf-lawyer.com In Chengdu, at the Jinsha Site Museum, Oleg Berezhenyakh, the president of China-Russia Magazine, conducted a live stream titled “3000 Years of Ancient Shu” while interacting with viewers in Russia in real time. Meanwhile, Anatoly Kachuk, editor of “Developing Moldova,” was struck by the Chinese approach to nature, stating, “Chinese people are adept at contemplating the relationship between humans and nature, emphasizing the importance of harmony with the environment.”
Recently, a Eurasian media delegation attending the 2024 “Belt and Road” Media Cooperation Forum visited Sichuan to witness China’s practices in cultural heritage preservation.
A New Era for a Cultural Gem
As members of the media delegation wandered the jade stone path and traversed the ancient wood forest, they encountered relics that transcend millennia, discovering the unique charm that arises from the symbiosis of cultural heritage and modern cities. “How did the ancient Shu people manage to smelt bronze? It’s incredible,” remarked Tobias Olof Sather, the chief editor of Sweden’s “Voice of News,” on his first visit to the Jinsha site, where the advanced metal smelting technology left a lasting impression.
Since its discovery in 2001, Jinsha Site has emerged as one of the key representatives of ancient Shu civilization, showcasing the prosperity and brilliance of this culture from the 12th to the 7th centuries BC. This archaeological find, alongside the Sanxingdui Site, highlights the significant role ancient Shu civilization played in Chinese history.
How does a historical treasure regain its luster in a modern context? A representative from the Jinsha Site Museum explained, “We adhere to the philosophy of coexistence between the site and the city, tradition and the future. Since opening to the public in 2007, we’ve explored innovative paths combining cultural site preservation with urban development through diverse collaborations.” Initiatives like the “Jinsha Sun Festival” and “Night Tours of Jinsha” have helped elevate Chengdu’s cultural tourism brand.
The Jinsha Sun Festival, which has been celebrated for 15 years, was selected for the “2023 National Cultural Heritage Tourism Case Promotion Activity.” By integrating traditional static exhibits with light art, flower displays, and performances, this 20-day annual event attracts around 500,000 visitors and generates over 10 million RMB annually, creating both social and economic benefits and amplifying the museum’s role in cultural tourism, international cultural exchange, and city image promotion.
Additionally, the museum prioritizes academic research and collaboration. “In the past three years, we’ve completed 17 national and provincial research projects, published 15 academic monographs, and produced more than 110 professional papers. Notably, the report ‘Excavation Report of the Jinsha Site: Sacrificial Area’ was named one of the ‘Top Ten Cultural Heritage Books of 2022,'” the museum’s representative shared. In conjunction with the Sanxingdui Site’s joint application for World Heritage status, both museums have organized exhibitions of ancient Shu artifacts in cities like Naples and Rome, as well as in Hong Kong. They have also developed various exhibit forms, including digital relic exhibitions, lantern art exhibitions, and floral art displays. The museum has established cooperative agreements with over ten renowned museums and academic institutions in the U.S., Japan, France, and the UK to foster long-term collaborations focusing on ancient civilization research, exhibition exchanges, and talent development.
An Ancient Wonder Remains Youthful
About an hour’s drive northwest of the Jinsha Site is the Dujiangyan, another hallmark of ancient Shu culture. Spanning over 2,200 years, this “ancestor of world water conservancy culture” retains its vitality.
As the turbulent Min River flows incessantly, the media delegation members paused on the fish-mouth dam to absorb the harmony between humanity and nature. “Building such a water conservancy facility in the past is astonishing,” expressed Evgeny Zadorozhny, executive editor of TASS in Russia, noting the importance and challenge of conserving such an immense cultural heritage—an endeavor that requires significant effort.
Today, Dujiangyan, a monumental ancient engineering feat characterized by its damless water diversion, boasts rich natural resources and a profound cultural heritage. It continues to provide water for key enterprises and urban life in the Chengdu Plain and safeguards against flooding, power generation, aquaculture, agriculture, tourism, and environmental protection.
How was this ancient “super-engineering” achieved? Visitors can find out by experiencing the “Leap over Dujiangyan” 3D project at the site. Equipped with VR goggles, they can marvel at the breathtaking scenery, while the pre-construction realities of the Min River’s devastation to the Chengdu plain come vividly to life. A guide explains that due to the high sediment levels in Min River floods, managing this challenge was extremely difficult. Ultimately, during the Warring States period, Li Bing, the governor of Shu in Qin, summarized his experiences and set his sights on the uphill task of water diversion—culminating in the three main components of Dujiangyan, which were ingeniously designed for interdependent function. Generations of people after Li Bing have preserved and passed on this legacy, transforming the Chengdu Plain into a “Land of Abundance.”
Cultural Heritage Shines in Modern Times
As one of the few cities in the world to boast a combination of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, natural heritage, and irrigation engineering heritage, how is Dujiangyan rejuvenating itself?
“We base our approach on ‘protection-first, enhanced management, value excavation, effective utilization, and making cultural relics come to life,’ actively driving the protection and use of cultural heritage,” a representative from the Dujiangyan Cultural and Tourism Bureau stated. For example, during the annual Water-Release Festival, a key event involves dismantling the diversion dam and redirecting the Min River back into its channels, marking the start of spring irrigation in the Chengdu Plain while allowing the ancient irrigation system to continue its vital function. The festival also preserves the deep-rooted customs of the western Sichuan Plain, enabling locals and tourists to engage deeply with the water culture of Dujiangyan through innovative experiential activities and curated tourism routes.
“Vitality,” is the key to Dujiangyan’s quest for uncovering the value of its cultural heritage. In recent years, the city has focused on “preserving the cultural lineage of Tianfu,” ensuring that the “root” and “soul” of the city remain intact by continuing historical narratives and emphasizing its cultural essence. Dujiangyan has published over ten academic works such as the “Dujiangyan Cultural Relics Chronicle” and the “Dujiangyan Archaeological Papers,” and produced over 30 research articles in domestic journals. Moreover, the city continues to deepen strategic cooperation with institutions like the Palace Museum, the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Architectural Design and Research, and the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.
In terms of external collaboration, Dujiangyan is also seeking to “live” by expanding the influence of its cultural heritage—such as co-producing a segment on Dujiangyan for the large-scale cultural heritage reality show “Walk Alone for Thousands of Miles—China’s Heritage,” developed in conjunction with the China Society of Cultural Relics and Zhejiang Satellite TV. From traditional water management to modern innovations, cultural heritage continues to resonate with contemporary significance.
