Metro stations across China are combining elements of local heritage into their designs and decorations, providing passengers a window into the unique traditional cultures of their cities.
A spokesperson from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has posted a video on social media highlighting 13 metro stations across China and inviting global visitors to discover their unique charm.
In Beijing, the capital city of China, Ping'anli Station on Subway Line 19 has seamlessly incorporated traditional Chinese cultural elements, such as lantern art and shadow puppetry, into its design.
The station's ceiling is adorned with over 1,000 lanterns, each decorated with vibrant flowers to symbolize good wishes.
Inside the metro hall, the pillars are embellished with square-sided lanterns featuring shadow puppetry figures, all handcrafted by inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and reflecting the traditional practices of the country's Lantern Festival holiday.
A large mural in the station corridor, inspired by the famous Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) painting "Shangyuan Lantern Picture", vividly depicts a festive scene of people enjoying the lantern displays during the Lantern Festival, capturing the attention of passersby.
In Xi'an City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Hanyao Station of Subway Line 8, which was opened last year, demonstrates a combination of traditional culture and modern technology.
The station took its name from the famous Qinqiang Opera "Wudianpo," which originates from the region and tells a tale of love, endurance and hope between a military leader and the daughter of a wealthy family.
The station features a dome design and is constructed without a single pillar, providing an expansive public space for passengers. The lighting inside can shift between different colors, enhancing the station's modern, tech-inspired atmosphere.
"The design of Hanyao Station was conceived with the idea that it would not just be a metro station, but an underground space that blends culture and technology, serving as a business card [for Xi'an]. When passengers enter the station, they can experience both the ancient charm of Xi'an and its technological advancements," said Sun Lijuan, the stationmaster of Xi'an Metro Hanyao Station.
In Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, strolling through the Jinsha Site Museum Station feels like stepping into a vibrant tapestry of ancient Shu civilization.
With a history spanning approximately 3,000 years, the Jinsha Site was the ancient Shu Kingdom's capital and a cradle of ancient civilization nestled along the upper Yangtze River in China.
The design and decorations inside the Jinsha Site Museum Station incorporate numerous symbols from the Jinsha Site.
The decorations on the ceiling embody the image of a sun-and-immortal-birds gold ornament, one of China's esteemed ancient treasures, unearthed in 2001 from the Jinsha Site.
Two large murals in the hall further showcase the unique characteristics of the ancient Shu civilization, depicting scenes of sun worship, fishing, hunting, and the daily life of the ancient Shu people.
China's metro stations showcase unique cultural elements
