Latest News:  

English>>Life & Culture

Ancient relics create contemporary prosperity

(China Daily)

15:36, June 24, 2013

A 2,100-year-old terracotta figurine unearthed in Xianyang. (China Daily)

Cultural relics might be priceless but their value continues to generate wealth, relic protection officials have said.

"Relics' protection improves livelihoods," State Administration of Cultural Heritage director Li Xiaojie said.

He made the remarks at the eighth Cultural Heritage Day in Xianyang, Shaanxi province. This year's theme is "cultural heritage and a well-off society".

"If well showcased, these treasures will generate wealth for the people," Li says.

"Cultural relics are necessary for prosperity."

Xianyang, the country's first capital city from the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and host of the Cultural Heritage Day, houses relics from several historical periods. They have proven worth beyond their archeological value.

The city's mayor Wei Hua says average per-capita GDP has jumped by more than 20 percent in recent years from better relic protection and exhibition. "It has developed tourism. Our dining industry is growing. And even our farm produce sells better."

Xianyang expects the number of visitors to exceed 63 million by 2015, bringing in 30 billion yuan ($4.89 billion).

"The gains aren't only economic," Wei adds. "Heritage protection makes people more aware of their own behavior and environmental protection."

Qianling Museum director Chen Zhandi says: "Since we started publicizing our ancient treasures, people have stopped writing graffiti on them."

Chen's museum contains the tomb of the country's first empress, Wu Zetian. It offers ticket discounts for local residents and hosts regular lectures about the area's history.

Chen says the community around his museum takes in about 300 million yuan annually from tomb-visiting tourists.

But cultural conservation's benefits are threatened by a host of assailants. "Heritage is in very severe danger," China Cultural Heritage Information and Consulting Center head Wu Dongfeng says.

"It's not just about thieves but also about erosion and aging. It requires vast human resources and money."

Chen says his museum must devote a huge chunk of ticket revenue to refurbishing and protecting the museum and its relics.

"The more we put in, the more we get out," he says.

We recommend:

Top 10 private gardens in China

Super cute moments of animals

Tastes and sights of Taiwan in Xiamen

Chinese garden offers green paradise in Sydney

Pregnant Yao Chen poses for Bazaar

Amazing Narati Scenic Spot in Xinjiang

Amazing scenery of Yamzhog Yumco Lake

Liu Yifei graces FIGARO magazine

Beautiful scenery in Beijing Garden Expo

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:DuMingming、Gao Yinan)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Ground-to-air missile brigade conducts drill

  2. Officers and men in anti-chemical drill

  3. Old photos of Vietnam War

  4. Technology cracks down on fake products

  5. 6 golden pythons get new home in Guangzhou

  6. Childhood in an isolated sterile room

  7. Best sports photos: Loli of Spain

  8. Bodyguards train on protecting VIPs

  9. Luxury China 2013 kicks off in Beijing

  10. High-end singles party attracts swarm of girls

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Situation on Korean Peninsula delicately balanced
  2. Foreign companies eye new 'opening-up'
  3. Third parties aid Chinese customers' needs
  4. Profiting out of Africa comes with risks
  5. China's outbound investment at turning point
  6. Dog meat festival, 'bloody carnival'?
  7. Obama's deeds more important than his words
  8. Social media lures us to throw away privacy barriers
  9. What has the Prism program taught us?
  10. China to sustain prudent monetary policy

What’s happening in China

Childhood in an isolated sterile room

  1. Drug use a rising issue among the young in China
  2. Blast, fire rock chemical plant in Shanghai
  3. Official paid mistress 10,000 yuan a day
  4. Smugglers becoming more clever in hiding drugs
  5. Man gets death for killing 7 in 9 days