Across China: Cultural confidence draws more Chinese to discover, protect the past

YINCHUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- This October has been remarkably busy for archaeologist Ren Xiufen, as the Xixia Imperial Tombs welcomed their first surge of holiday visitors after being inscribed on the World Heritage List in July. Despite the long work hours, her heart remains full of joy and fulfillment.

"Seeing more people come to know the Xixia Imperial Tombs and hearing their positive feedback brings a very real sense of accomplishment," she said.

Located at the foot of Helan Mountain in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the tombs were built by the Tangut, an ethnic group that thrived in northwest China between the 11th and 13th centuries.

The Xixia Imperial Tombs are the largest, most well-preserved and highest-ranking archaeological remains of the Xixia Dynasty (1038-1227).

Since the World Heritage inscription, visitor numbers have increased by about 60 percent, with daily attendance exceeding 10,000 on the busiest days during the National Day and Mid-Autumn holidays. The site has introduced over 800 cultural products and cutting-edge digital tools, including VR and XR, providing immersive experiences that "awaken" heritage and make its cultural value more accessible to the public.

"As a resident of Yinchuan, I feel truly excited and proud that the Xixia Imperial Tombs have become a World Heritage site right in our hometown. We will cherish and protect it," said a visitor surnamed Wang.

This attention goes beyond just numbers. Ren has noticed a shift in visitors' feedback as well. In the past, most comments centered around services, but now everyday visitors are providing professional suggestions. They are offering insights on everything from how to enhance museum displays to better utilizing exhibition spaces.

"Public participation is essential," Ren said, adding that protecting the surroundings and landscape of the site's buffer zone is a major part of their work, and they now receive strong support from volunteers and local residents passionate about heritage preservation.

The Xixia Imperial Tombs, designated as a national education base for primary and secondary school students, now offer more than 30 specialized courses to attract more young visitors to explore the ancient site.

This surge of interest in the Xixia Imperial Tombs mirrors a broader nationwide trend. Museums across the country received nearly 86.3 million visitors during the 8-day National Day and Mid-Autumn holiday, an increase of 11.42 million compared with the National Day holiday in 2024. A total of 5.39 million people visited 65 national archaeological parks during the same period, according to data released earlier this month by the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

In recent years, documentaries and television programs on cultural relics have sparked widespread discussion and gained strong popularity among young audiences. Public perceptions of archaeology are gradually changing, and more students are choosing to pursue degrees in archaeology and museology.

"Many of our generation entered the field of archaeology more or less passively, before truly understanding it. But now the social foundation of archaeology in China has changed dramatically," said Li Yingfu, a professor at the School of Archaeology and Museology at Sichuan University.

Li explained that on the one hand, as one of the world's four great ancient civilizations, China possesses extraordinarily rich archaeological resources. On the other hand, with economic growth and higher living standards, Chinese people now have a stronger desire to explore their own culture and history.

Jing Lijun, a Ph.D. student from Ningxia University and a history enthusiast born in the 1990s, frequently spends his vacations exploring historical sites. He has conducted multiple field trips to places such as Dunhuang and the Xixia Imperial Tombs.

"Once you step into a heritage site and see it with your own eyes, you realize what the books really mean and help you better understand local history," he said.

Each visit, he said, fills him with pride. The Xixia Imperial Tombs, for example, reflect the diversity and unity of Chinese civilization. Their architecture, modeled after the imperial tombs of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), is a vivid example of that cultural integration, Jing added.

Ren, who is in her 30s, has devoted over a decade to this vast site. She now leads a young, diverse team in cultural relics management. In addition to archaeology and history majors, the team includes specialists in computing and information technology, reflecting the evolving nature of heritage protection.

With more young people joining the field and new technologies being applied, archaeology, she said, is gaining renewed vitality and brimming with possibilities.

Wu Han, a Generation-Z member of Ren's team, chose a different path from most of her classmates majoring in Information Management and Information System. Driven by her passion for history and culture, she decided against joining a tech company and has been working at the Xixia Imperial Tombs for nearly five years.

"I feel very fortunate to work here -- it's something I truly love," Wu said. Now responsible for the site's digital preservation, including systematic monitoring of both the structures and their surrounding environment, Wu believes her work not only aligns with her interests but also holds great promise for the future.

In recent years, along with museums across the country implementing various strategies to engage younger audiences, China has also placed a strong emphasis on advancing archaeological research. The country has launched national projects on tracing the origins of Chinese civilization, strengthened international cooperation and cultivated high-caliber archaeological talent.

In September last year, the National Cultural Heritage Administration and the Ministry of Finance jointly issued a set of measures for the archaeological talent cultivation program, which introduced a five-year initiative to develop innovative talent teams in the field of cultural relics and archaeology.

For a young woman who has spent years in the wind and dust of the Gobi Desert, such a life may seem austere. Yet Ren believes it is one of the most meaningful choices she could have made.

"The successful World Heritage inscription of the Xixia Imperial Tombs means being seen and recognized by the world," she said. "We will continue to protect and preserve our cultural heritage -- it is not just a profession, but our shared responsibility." ■