Cities in China with rich historical resources have been revitalizing old buildings, especially former residences of celebrities', to boost cultural and tourism integration during its urbanization process.
At the former residence memorial hall of Chinese political thinker and reformer Kang Youwei in Shinan District of Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province, local authorities have specially launched relevant textbook drama performance activities to better present history to student visitors.
"Performing here is more than just playing a role, I've also learned knowledge beyond what I could learn in textbooks. This performance has been very rewarding," said Tang Haoming, a student at Qingdao No. 63 Middle School.
"With the continued advancement of urban renewal and historical district preservation efforts, we have renovated and opened five former residences within our jurisdiction. Next, we will continue to strengthen the protection and utilization of former residences of celebrities during urban renewal, bringing them to life," said Yu Hua, deputy director of the Historic District Construction and Operation Center of Shinan District.
Local authorities of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality also renovated former residence of Shen Junru, a great Chinese patriot and one of the founders of Chinese Democratic League, into a "reception room" for inheriting and promoting local history and culture for all residents and visitors.
"The restoration was carried out according to the original structure, form, materials, and craftsmanship. Even the window lattices and wood grain were restored according to 1938 archives, allowing the bricks and tiles to 'speak for themselves'," said Li Dong, chief engineer of the Project Management Department of the Chongqing Yuzhong District Cultural Tourism Development Group.
In the next step, a tour route focusing on celebrity footprints will also be launched in the region, making the former residence a key node in connecting the region's cultural memories, according to officials.
The municipality will also combine local historical and cultural resources to the protection and restoration of historical buildings and traditional style areas with the modern business areas, said officials.
"In urban renewal, Chongqing have persisted on protecting and inheriting historical context and revitalizing and utilizing historical resources. The municipality has implemented 34 historical and cultural relic renewal projects. By organically combining protection and repair with functional replacement and business implantation, it has given old buildings new vitality and old neighborhoods new momentum, creating new value from old space," said Zou Jiaju, director of the Urban Living Environment Construction Department of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.
Chinese cities leverage historical resources to boost cultural tourism
