Cultural heritage preservation transforms ancient villages into tourist hotspots

Enhancing cultural heritage preservation and launching innovative tourism projects have breathed new vitality into once isolated and quiet villages in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, transforming them into hot tourist destinations.

In the village of Hongya in Longde County, there is a renowned old street covered by bluestone pavement and lined on the two sides with stone houses whose crevices are filled with yellow mud. The traditional architectural style of the Liupan Mountains area where the village is located has been well preserved through years of renovation efforts by local authorities.

In 2010, Longde County launched a restoration project to protect the residential houses along the old street, turning these buildings into unique culture-themed guesthouses. In 2016, the second phase of the project began, eventually transforming this village into a famous scenic spot.

To attract more visitors, the village has also stepped up efforts to preserve ancient traditions, such as paper-cutting and the Qinqiang Opera, a folk opera genre popular in northwest China. Just a few kilometers away, Xinhe Village has actively embraced innovative tourism programs, including building camping sites for recreational vehicles (RVs).

"After I arrived here, I offered some suggestions to the local village on how to develop the RV camp. In return, they appointed me as an honorary villager, which I'm deeply honored by. I truly feel like I've become a part of this community," said Chen Haiyong, a RV owner.

In the past, tourists were mainly attracted to the village by the Shehuo show, a traditional folk celebration combining multiple forms of art performances, including dragon or lion dance, traditional Chinese opera, and drum playing. Now, RV drivers flock here to seek a respite from fast-paced urban life and admire the picturesque scenery.

Local authorities have also improved infrastructure facilities, such as electricity and water supply, and enhanced publicity efforts to boost the village's fame as an ideal RV camping destination.

Amid these efforts, many new job opportunities have been created for local villagers, increasing their income and contributing to rural revitalization.

"We encouraged the farmers to invest in the village's tourism company because developing green industries and rural tourism is our path to prosperity. Although it takes time and patience for tourism investments to pay off, I explained to the villagers that the benefits might not be fully realized by our generation, but could greatly benefit the generations to come," said Zhao Xiaolong, a village official.

Cultural heritage preservation transforms ancient villages into tourist hotspots

The 9.18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, capital city of northeast China's Liaoning Province, has received 14 pictorial documents recording Japan's invasion of China from a private donor ahead of the 93rd anniversary of the September 18 Incident which marked the start of the invasion.

These precious documents, donated by collector Zhan Hongge, provide new evidence for studying the history of the September 18 Incident in 1931 and the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945).

The pictorials were published by the Japanese militarists from 1932 to 1942, recording the September 18 Incident, their invasion of northeast China, the establishment of the puppet state Manchukuo, and their invasion of Beijing, Nanjing, Wuhan and Chongqing.

"These historical documents play a better role in the museum. They can educate the younger generations, particularly the youth, to gain a deeper understanding of the history. We should not forget national humiliation and cherish peace," Zhan said.

Most of the photos published on the documents were taken by Japanese military correspondents or professional reporters in the frontline battlefields and Japanese-occupied areas to report on the war situation in various places.

"Today, more than 90 years later, these historical documents have become irrefutable evidence of Japan's invasion of China and a crucial part of the historical materials on the war. They reveal the historical truth and the whole process of Japan's planning of the September 18 Incident and the July 7 Incident and their large-scale armed invasion of China," said Fan Lihong, curator of the museum.

On September 18, 1931, Japanese troops blew up a section of railway under their control near Shenyang and accused Chinese troops of sabotage as a pretext for the attack. Later that night, they bombarded barracks near Shenyang.

The resistance efforts of the Chinese people after the September 18 Incident signaled the beginning of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

Historical museum receives donation of documents recording Japan’s invasion of China