Jlaw
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it's a unique building with a lot of history. but yeah, they should have shot the Japanese soldiers instead.
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Heritage of Middle Kingdom, UNESCO, Contemporary Chinese Culture: News & Images
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+4vsgorillas-Apebane
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A name is just a name, its what a person make of him/her self that matters.
Superstition should be thrown out the door, 21st century China should be progressive and socialist, not bound by primal beliefs and divine meddling.
Superstition should be thrown out the door, 21st century China should be progressive and socialist, not bound by primal beliefs and divine meddling.
+4vsgorillas-Apebane
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It looks Stalinist with a token traditional Chinese roof.
Jlaw
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names are important. would Bruce Lee be the legendary Bruce Lee if his name was Fred Lee. Jackie Chan vs. Peter Chan. Ralph Lauren vs Ralph Lipschitz.
TaiShang
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Enter the dragon’s nine children
By Zhang Qian | February 5, 2017, Sunday
Shanghai Daily
Figurines of Suan Ni are usually found among the beasts sitting along the ridge of ancient palaces.
WHEN indicating the natural differences that exist among people, most Chinese will bring up the proverb, “The dragon has nine sons, none of which are alike.”
Probably out of respect and deference to the powerful dragon of Chinese myth, the Chinese also created nine legendary children for him. Yet, there is hardly a consensus around the composition of this legendary brood. Some scholars believe that the number “nine” in the proverb is just a plural indicator rather than an exact figure. Such vague use of numbers is common in the Chinese literary tradition.
According to one anecdote, the Emperor Xiaozong of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was once struck by curiosity regarding the nature of the dragon’s nine sons. He posed his question to Li Dongyang, the Minister of Rites and a man known for his extraordinary knowledge. But even Li could not satisfy the emperor’s curiosity. Soon after, he composed a list of the nine dragons, which he named and characterized.
Li’s isn’t the only such list in existence. But among the various versions, there is one commonality: every dragon has its own personality, which is distinct from the rest.
One of the most frequently-referenced list of dragons today was created by the author Wang Wenyuan in 2008. Here’s a look at the beasts and their supposed traits.
Qiu Niu 囚牛
Qiu Niu is said to be a yellow Chinese dragon with a gentle nature and a love for music. His image is often craved onto the heads of musical instruments, especially those of the stringed variety.
Chao Feng 嘲风
Chao Feng’s image is often found standing guard on cornices in traditional Chinese architecture. Because Chao Feng loves adventure, he often climbs high where he can gaze into the distance.
He is frequently accompanied by other guardian beasts, like the phoenix, lion and heavenly horse. There are 10 guardian beasts in total, yet the full compliment of animals can be found only on high-ranking royal structures, such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. The number decreases with the standing of the building. Ordinary families were prohibited from adding images of these beasts to their houses.
Pu Lao 蒲牢
Pu Lao usually appears in a contorted, twisted posture. He is known for his booming voice, which can be heard for miles. Legend has it that Pu Lao dwells in the sea, where his great nemesis is a whale. Whenever the whale attacks, he will roar out of fear.
His image often graces the top of bells matched with wooden knockers shaped like a whale. When the “whale attacks,” the bell is though to roar out with the sound of a fearful Pu Lao.
Suan Ni 狻猊
Though appearing like a martial lion, Suan Ni rarely stirs. Rather, he loves mediation accompanied by burning incense. It is said that even Buddha appreciates his patience, and thus rides on Suan Ni when he needs to get around.
The image of Suan Ni is often decorated on incense burners or the seat of Buddha statues.
With a shell on his back, Bi Xi looks like a turtle with a dragon’s head. His image is often found at the bottom of huge monuments, with his head raised eagerly, as if trying to move.
Blessed with stupendous strength, Bi Xi loves moving mountains and manipulating waters. Subdued by the legendary hero Da Yu, Bi Xi helped reshape the landscape and rivers of China by taming the water.
But regardless of his great feats, Da Yu was still concerned that the dragon might again change the landscape. Thus, Da Yu created a huge stone monument on which Bi Xi’s deeds were recorded. But he had Bi Xi carry the monument on his back, so he could no longer freely travel about.
Ya Zi 睚眦
Ya Zi has a dragon’s head and wolf’s body. He is combative and blood thirsty. He is often found inscribed on various weapons meant for both ceremonial use and actual combat. Long tun kou (literally “dragon swallow mouth”) refers to a particular decorative pattern used on traditional weapons that features Ya Zi’s head with a wide-open mouth at the end of a blade. The design is meant to give the impression that the blade is coming right from Ya Zi’s mouth.
Bi An 狴犴
Bi An, also known as Xian Zhang, is a great judge with an appearance much like a tiger.
It is said that Bi An is firm when it comes to truth and falsehood and always speaks boldly in defense of justice. Therefore, his image is often used in law courts and jail gates.
Fu Xi is a scholar who is infatuated with poetry, literature and calligraphy.
He looks similar to his father, and is often found near inscriptions on stone or wood tablets.
Chi Wen 螭吻
Chi Wen has a dragon’s head, a fish’s body and a big open mouth ready to swallow anything that gets too close.
Legends suggest that Chi Wen is capable of bringing rains by splashing waves with his tail. For this reason, his image often appears on the ends of the central ridge of traditional Chinese roofs, where he is meant to guard against fire.
In some Buddhist temples, Chi Wen is also seen on the Rain God’s seat.
Patterns of Ya Zi are often found adorning ancient weapons.
@long_ , @AndrewJin , @+4vsgorillas-Apebane , @DayWalker90
By Zhang Qian | February 5, 2017, Sunday
Shanghai Daily
Figurines of Suan Ni are usually found among the beasts sitting along the ridge of ancient palaces.
WHEN indicating the natural differences that exist among people, most Chinese will bring up the proverb, “The dragon has nine sons, none of which are alike.”
Probably out of respect and deference to the powerful dragon of Chinese myth, the Chinese also created nine legendary children for him. Yet, there is hardly a consensus around the composition of this legendary brood. Some scholars believe that the number “nine” in the proverb is just a plural indicator rather than an exact figure. Such vague use of numbers is common in the Chinese literary tradition.
According to one anecdote, the Emperor Xiaozong of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was once struck by curiosity regarding the nature of the dragon’s nine sons. He posed his question to Li Dongyang, the Minister of Rites and a man known for his extraordinary knowledge. But even Li could not satisfy the emperor’s curiosity. Soon after, he composed a list of the nine dragons, which he named and characterized.
Li’s isn’t the only such list in existence. But among the various versions, there is one commonality: every dragon has its own personality, which is distinct from the rest.
One of the most frequently-referenced list of dragons today was created by the author Wang Wenyuan in 2008. Here’s a look at the beasts and their supposed traits.
Qiu Niu 囚牛
Qiu Niu is said to be a yellow Chinese dragon with a gentle nature and a love for music. His image is often craved onto the heads of musical instruments, especially those of the stringed variety.
Chao Feng 嘲风
Chao Feng’s image is often found standing guard on cornices in traditional Chinese architecture. Because Chao Feng loves adventure, he often climbs high where he can gaze into the distance.
He is frequently accompanied by other guardian beasts, like the phoenix, lion and heavenly horse. There are 10 guardian beasts in total, yet the full compliment of animals can be found only on high-ranking royal structures, such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. The number decreases with the standing of the building. Ordinary families were prohibited from adding images of these beasts to their houses.
Pu Lao 蒲牢
Pu Lao usually appears in a contorted, twisted posture. He is known for his booming voice, which can be heard for miles. Legend has it that Pu Lao dwells in the sea, where his great nemesis is a whale. Whenever the whale attacks, he will roar out of fear.
His image often graces the top of bells matched with wooden knockers shaped like a whale. When the “whale attacks,” the bell is though to roar out with the sound of a fearful Pu Lao.
Suan Ni 狻猊
Though appearing like a martial lion, Suan Ni rarely stirs. Rather, he loves mediation accompanied by burning incense. It is said that even Buddha appreciates his patience, and thus rides on Suan Ni when he needs to get around.
The image of Suan Ni is often decorated on incense burners or the seat of Buddha statues.
With a shell on his back, Bi Xi looks like a turtle with a dragon’s head. His image is often found at the bottom of huge monuments, with his head raised eagerly, as if trying to move.
Blessed with stupendous strength, Bi Xi loves moving mountains and manipulating waters. Subdued by the legendary hero Da Yu, Bi Xi helped reshape the landscape and rivers of China by taming the water.
But regardless of his great feats, Da Yu was still concerned that the dragon might again change the landscape. Thus, Da Yu created a huge stone monument on which Bi Xi’s deeds were recorded. But he had Bi Xi carry the monument on his back, so he could no longer freely travel about.
Ya Zi 睚眦
Ya Zi has a dragon’s head and wolf’s body. He is combative and blood thirsty. He is often found inscribed on various weapons meant for both ceremonial use and actual combat. Long tun kou (literally “dragon swallow mouth”) refers to a particular decorative pattern used on traditional weapons that features Ya Zi’s head with a wide-open mouth at the end of a blade. The design is meant to give the impression that the blade is coming right from Ya Zi’s mouth.
Bi An 狴犴
Bi An, also known as Xian Zhang, is a great judge with an appearance much like a tiger.
It is said that Bi An is firm when it comes to truth and falsehood and always speaks boldly in defense of justice. Therefore, his image is often used in law courts and jail gates.
Fu Xi is a scholar who is infatuated with poetry, literature and calligraphy.
He looks similar to his father, and is often found near inscriptions on stone or wood tablets.
Chi Wen 螭吻
Chi Wen has a dragon’s head, a fish’s body and a big open mouth ready to swallow anything that gets too close.
Legends suggest that Chi Wen is capable of bringing rains by splashing waves with his tail. For this reason, his image often appears on the ends of the central ridge of traditional Chinese roofs, where he is meant to guard against fire.
In some Buddhist temples, Chi Wen is also seen on the Rain God’s seat.
Patterns of Ya Zi are often found adorning ancient weapons.
@long_ , @AndrewJin , @+4vsgorillas-Apebane , @DayWalker90
ahojunk
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Torch festival in SE China's Fujian
(Xinhua) 19:53, February 06, 2017
The torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province.
This traditional festival has a history of more than 300 years.
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Xu Weigeng)
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun)
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Guibin)
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Shi Qingliang)
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Shi Qingliang)
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. The traditional festival has a history of more than 300 years. (Xinhua/Wu Baoye)
(Xinhua) 19:53, February 06, 2017
The torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province.
This traditional festival has a history of more than 300 years.
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Xu Weigeng)
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun)
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Guibin)
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Shi Qingliang)
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Shi Qingliang)
Torch festival at Shanqian Village in Jinjiang City of southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 5, 2017. The traditional festival has a history of more than 300 years. (Xinhua/Wu Baoye)
onebyone
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Ancient tomb of Chinese general and princess filled with figurines
The remains of a couple were found 1,500 years after being buried in China.
The tomb of a general and his princess wife buried on March 18, in the year 564, has been discovered in China.
The ancient tomb, which contained the couple’s skeletons, was also filled with figurines, said the archaeologists who described the findings recently in the journal Chinese Cultural Relics.
“The grave goods in this tomb are comprised of a total of 105 items, mostly pottery figurines,” the archaeologists wrote. The figurines, whose colors are preserved, include representations of warriors, camels, oxcarts and drummers, with the tallest standing at about 22 inches. [See Photos of the Ancient Tomb and Figurines]
Inscription in sandstone
A sandstone inscription found in the tomb describes the life of the couple Zhao Xin and his wife, Princess Neé Liu. The inscription says (in translation), “On the 20th day of the second moon of the third year of the Heqing period [a date researchers said corresponds to March 18, 564], they were buried together.”
Zhao Xin served the rulers of the Northern Qi dynasty, which controlled part of northern China from 550 to 577. He held posts as a general and at times a governor in different areas of China, the inscription said.
At his final post, Zhao Xin served as the general of a garrison of soldiers at a place called Huangniu Town and led the garrison to victory in battle. “A thousand men lost their souls; he disposed of the Yi barbarians and exterminated the enemy, and the public flocked to him,” the translated inscription says.
Of Princess Neé Liu, the inscription says that “by nature, she was modest and humble, and sincerity and filial piety were her roots. Her accommodating nature was clear, her behavior respectful and chaste.”
Zhao Xin died at the age of 67 while still general of the garrison, according to the inscription, which does not indicate why he and his wife were buried at the same time. A detailed analysis of the bones hasn’t been published yet.
Mountain roots
Archaeologists said in the journal article that the tomb is located near modern-day Taiyuan city on the “eastern foothills of the Xishan Mountains, on the west bank of the Fenhe River.”
The mountain location could have had some symbolic value, because the inscription also says, “If the mountain peak’s roots are firm, it can contend in height with Heaven and Earth; deep and brilliant, solid and bright, it speeds far away along with the Sun and Moon; civil and martial seek each other, and so men are naturally there…”
The cemetery was excavated by archaeologists between August 2012 and June 2013. The archaeologists are from the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, Shanxi University’s School of History and Culture, Taiyuan Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and the Agency of Cultural Relics and Tourism of Jinyuan District, Taiyuan city.
An article describing the discovery was published, in Chinese, in the journal Wenwu, in 2015. The article was recently translated into English and published in the journal Chinese Cultural Relics. In the journal article, the archaeologists also discussed the other tombs they found in the cemetery, noting that they excavated 69 tombs in total.
Original article on Live Science
Editor’s Recommendations
The remains of a couple were found 1,500 years after being buried in China.
The tomb of a general and his princess wife buried on March 18, in the year 564, has been discovered in China.
The ancient tomb, which contained the couple’s skeletons, was also filled with figurines, said the archaeologists who described the findings recently in the journal Chinese Cultural Relics.
“The grave goods in this tomb are comprised of a total of 105 items, mostly pottery figurines,” the archaeologists wrote. The figurines, whose colors are preserved, include representations of warriors, camels, oxcarts and drummers, with the tallest standing at about 22 inches. [See Photos of the Ancient Tomb and Figurines]
Inscription in sandstone
A sandstone inscription found in the tomb describes the life of the couple Zhao Xin and his wife, Princess Neé Liu. The inscription says (in translation), “On the 20th day of the second moon of the third year of the Heqing period [a date researchers said corresponds to March 18, 564], they were buried together.”
Zhao Xin served the rulers of the Northern Qi dynasty, which controlled part of northern China from 550 to 577. He held posts as a general and at times a governor in different areas of China, the inscription said.
At his final post, Zhao Xin served as the general of a garrison of soldiers at a place called Huangniu Town and led the garrison to victory in battle. “A thousand men lost their souls; he disposed of the Yi barbarians and exterminated the enemy, and the public flocked to him,” the translated inscription says.
Of Princess Neé Liu, the inscription says that “by nature, she was modest and humble, and sincerity and filial piety were her roots. Her accommodating nature was clear, her behavior respectful and chaste.”
Zhao Xin died at the age of 67 while still general of the garrison, according to the inscription, which does not indicate why he and his wife were buried at the same time. A detailed analysis of the bones hasn’t been published yet.
Mountain roots
Archaeologists said in the journal article that the tomb is located near modern-day Taiyuan city on the “eastern foothills of the Xishan Mountains, on the west bank of the Fenhe River.”
The mountain location could have had some symbolic value, because the inscription also says, “If the mountain peak’s roots are firm, it can contend in height with Heaven and Earth; deep and brilliant, solid and bright, it speeds far away along with the Sun and Moon; civil and martial seek each other, and so men are naturally there…”
The cemetery was excavated by archaeologists between August 2012 and June 2013. The archaeologists are from the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, Shanxi University’s School of History and Culture, Taiyuan Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and the Agency of Cultural Relics and Tourism of Jinyuan District, Taiyuan city.
An article describing the discovery was published, in Chinese, in the journal Wenwu, in 2015. The article was recently translated into English and published in the journal Chinese Cultural Relics. In the journal article, the archaeologists also discussed the other tombs they found in the cemetery, noting that they excavated 69 tombs in total.
Original article on Live Science
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- Images: Ancient Mural Tomb Discovered in China
- In Photos: Ancient King’s Mausoleum Discovered in China
- Beautiful, Wild and Weird: Art from China’s Forbidden City
Brainsucker
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remind me of my favorite TV, "Candle in the Tomb" 
TaiShang
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China moves to revitalize 'time-honored brands'
(Xinhua) 11:17, February 08, 2017
China will increase policy support for its century-old traditional brands as many of them are struggling amid a rapidly changing domestic market.
The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and 15 other central authorities have jointly published a general plan to bring new life to long-established brands, to preserve and improve traditional techniques, improve online and offline integration, and strengthen brand protection.
Under the plan, such brands will be encouraged to carry out ownership reforms and receive favorable policies in fund-raising.
There are currently 1,128 time-honored brands, or "laozihao" in Chinese, that have obtained official recognition from the MOC, and the companies date back about 160 years on average. More than 60 percent are engaged in pharmaceuticals, food and catering.
However, only about ten percent of "laozihao" are fit for the demands of the modern economy, such as Quanjude, a Beijing-based restaurant known for its roast duck. Many of the laozihao have limited popularity, run in small-scale workshops and barely keep afloat.
"Commonly small and medium-sized enterprises, the brands are facing a survival crisis due to their lack of competitiveness and their vulnerability to fierce competition amid rapidly-evolving technologies and business models," an industrial insider told the Economic Information Daily.
The insider called for more efforts from the government to help the brands to thrive in modern society.
Revitalizing the laozihao to preserve culture and memories for future generations of customers has remained a focus for the government for years. The MOC initiated a revival program more than ten years ago, and conducted a nationwide survey on the status of the brands last year to renew favorable measures.
China's political advisors agreed that the laozihao were the true embodiment of traditional Chinese commercial culture and deserved more protection and guidance, in a meeting held on Jan. 12.
"It is a bound duty of the government to increase support and publicity for time-honored brands," MOC official Zheng Wen said, citing similar measures in France, Japan and Italy.
Zheng said the conditions of laozihao had seen marked improvement after the MOC program.
By bold and decisive transformation, some laozihao have found ways to restore their former glory. Tongrentang, a pharmaceutical company founded in 1669, has successfully introduced modern technology to herbal medicine production. Tsingtao Brewery, headquartered in eastern China's Shandong Province, has revived through reorganization and become one of the most valuable traditional brands.
"The laozihao is both economic and cultural. It represents China's traditions in commercial morality and the spirit of the craftsman," said Zhang Lijun, vice president of the China General Chamber of Commerce. "Supporting more businesses to establish time-honored brands is significant to steady economic development."
The MOC will improve its management of the laozihao, being tough on those with poor credit, while adding competitive ones with a good reputation and cultural characteristics to the official list, according Zheng.
(Xinhua) 11:17, February 08, 2017
China will increase policy support for its century-old traditional brands as many of them are struggling amid a rapidly changing domestic market.
The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and 15 other central authorities have jointly published a general plan to bring new life to long-established brands, to preserve and improve traditional techniques, improve online and offline integration, and strengthen brand protection.
Under the plan, such brands will be encouraged to carry out ownership reforms and receive favorable policies in fund-raising.
There are currently 1,128 time-honored brands, or "laozihao" in Chinese, that have obtained official recognition from the MOC, and the companies date back about 160 years on average. More than 60 percent are engaged in pharmaceuticals, food and catering.
However, only about ten percent of "laozihao" are fit for the demands of the modern economy, such as Quanjude, a Beijing-based restaurant known for its roast duck. Many of the laozihao have limited popularity, run in small-scale workshops and barely keep afloat.
"Commonly small and medium-sized enterprises, the brands are facing a survival crisis due to their lack of competitiveness and their vulnerability to fierce competition amid rapidly-evolving technologies and business models," an industrial insider told the Economic Information Daily.
The insider called for more efforts from the government to help the brands to thrive in modern society.
Revitalizing the laozihao to preserve culture and memories for future generations of customers has remained a focus for the government for years. The MOC initiated a revival program more than ten years ago, and conducted a nationwide survey on the status of the brands last year to renew favorable measures.
China's political advisors agreed that the laozihao were the true embodiment of traditional Chinese commercial culture and deserved more protection and guidance, in a meeting held on Jan. 12.
"It is a bound duty of the government to increase support and publicity for time-honored brands," MOC official Zheng Wen said, citing similar measures in France, Japan and Italy.
Zheng said the conditions of laozihao had seen marked improvement after the MOC program.
By bold and decisive transformation, some laozihao have found ways to restore their former glory. Tongrentang, a pharmaceutical company founded in 1669, has successfully introduced modern technology to herbal medicine production. Tsingtao Brewery, headquartered in eastern China's Shandong Province, has revived through reorganization and become one of the most valuable traditional brands.
"The laozihao is both economic and cultural. It represents China's traditions in commercial morality and the spirit of the craftsman," said Zhang Lijun, vice president of the China General Chamber of Commerce. "Supporting more businesses to establish time-honored brands is significant to steady economic development."
The MOC will improve its management of the laozihao, being tough on those with poor credit, while adding competitive ones with a good reputation and cultural characteristics to the official list, according Zheng.
ahojunk
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I am familiar with both these brands.
In fact, Tsingtao beer is sold here in Australia.
It is worth preserving this part of culture for future generations.
Bussard Ramjet
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There should be a good way of doing it. If someone thinks that by just giving them central money is going to solve problems, they are wrong.
The firms must be made competitive. Ownership structure needs to be fixed, leadership changed, leadership given more autonomy.
ahojunk
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I know you meant well. All are good points.
But we are talking about China. She has a competent government. China knows what she is doing.
This reminds me of a proverb - "You don't teach grandma how to suck eggs."
TaiShang
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It is also available in Taiwan.
便宜坊 - Biànyífānɡ restaurant: This is listed as the oldest company in China.
On the top 100 oldest companies list, No. 1 is a Japanese hotel which claims to be in operation through 40+ generations (a millennia).
ahojunk
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China to increase protection of immovable cultural relics
(Xinhua) 14:40, February 12, 2017
The State Administration of Cultural Heritage plans to step up preservation of immovable cultural relics, amid rapid urbanization.
"Immovable cultural relics should be avoided as much as possible in the choosing of construction sites," according to a circular issued by the administration.
The circular clarified procedures for the removal of immovable cultural relic status, and said that if such cultural relics were destroyed by natural disasters or construction activity, authorities should review and establish whether they still had heritage value.
Authorities should also publish such information and solicit public opinion.
More efforts will be made to protect poorly-preserved immovable cultural relics through government support.
China is home to more than 760,000 registered immovable cultural relics, according a 2011 national archaeological survey.
********
This is an excellent move by the authorities.
Cultural relics should be protected, period.
.
(Xinhua) 14:40, February 12, 2017
The State Administration of Cultural Heritage plans to step up preservation of immovable cultural relics, amid rapid urbanization.
"Immovable cultural relics should be avoided as much as possible in the choosing of construction sites," according to a circular issued by the administration.
The circular clarified procedures for the removal of immovable cultural relic status, and said that if such cultural relics were destroyed by natural disasters or construction activity, authorities should review and establish whether they still had heritage value.
Authorities should also publish such information and solicit public opinion.
More efforts will be made to protect poorly-preserved immovable cultural relics through government support.
China is home to more than 760,000 registered immovable cultural relics, according a 2011 national archaeological survey.
********
This is an excellent move by the authorities.
Cultural relics should be protected, period.
.
ahojunk
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Forbidden City to show more riches
2017-02-14 08:47 | China Daily | Editor: Feng Shuang
As it works to open 85% of complex, items unseen since 1949 to be unveiled
As the Forbidden City opens more of the world-renowned former royal palace to the public, additional treasures will be going on display, according to Shan Jixiang, the museum's director.
Any part of the premises "deemed suitable for opening-up will no longer be forbidden" to the public, Shan said during a lecture on Sunday.
Shan said among the plans are the opening of a new gallery this year to display furniture used by royal families that lived in the palace. The majority of such items have not been publicly shown since 1949.
About 85 percent of the area in the museum, formally known as Palace Museum, will be made accessible to the public by 2025, according to a museum blueprint approved by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage last year. By the end of 2016, about 76 percent of the space was available.
Shan said the remaining areas will require complex restoration projects and therefore need more time to be completed.
The new gallery will showcase 2,400 sets of furniture made mostly of red sandalwood and rosewood from the museum's collection of 6,000 sets that belonged to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
The gallery used to be an old warehouse for construction materials.
"Such areas need to be unlocked as exhibition space," Shan said, adding that some 51,000 square meters of space that is currently awaiting renovation will be made available to tourists.
Another exhibition area, scheduled to be opened by the end of the year, will give the world a chance to view foundations of early Ming buildings, based on archaeological discoveries in recent years. The site dates back to the earliest days of the Forbidden City, Shan said.
The former royal complex, spread over 720,000 square meters, functioned as the seat of power in imperial China from 1420 until the end of the monarchy in 1911.
To allow visitors more viewing space, Shan said only relics restorers and security guards will continue to work within the complex's red walls. Around 750 employees, including him, representing roughly half the staff, will move their offices out of the walled areas.
The Forbidden City's image as a museum has grown since new measures were initiated in 2012.
Before that, it was seen as a highbrow academic institution detached from people's daily lives, and a tourist destination where visitors marveled at the architectural grandeur but knew little about the 1.8 million sets of cultural relics housed here. Most of the doors were shut, too.
More recently, the museum has caught the fancy of China's growing online community with its souvenirs and interactive phone apps.
In 2015, people waited overnight in lines to watch the highest profile shows of ancient calligraphy and painting in the museum's history.
In 2016, a documentary released online and on television, titled Masters in the Forbidden City, invoked interest in the museum's relics restorers.
"Only through more interaction and communication could the abundant cultural resources of the Palace Museum be conveyed to the public," said Yan Hongbin, who is in charge of public education at the Forbidden City. "For many people, this museum has become a part of their everyday lives."
On Sunday, Shan delivered the 100th lecture of a popular series the museum has held to broaden its appeal since he took the helm in 2012.
More than 60 scholars have addressed the lectures that have been attended by 10,000 people. For the lecture on Sunday, the original 350 entry tickets were taken within minutes of being released online.
The museum decided to reopen the online booking system and allow 100 more visitors into the auditorium. But they had to stand through the two-hour lecture.
"Such platforms offer us a chance to get together and share our knowledge and interest in history and culture," said Pei Hong, a Beijing resident who frequently attends the lectures.
2017-02-14 08:47 | China Daily | Editor: Feng Shuang
As it works to open 85% of complex, items unseen since 1949 to be unveiled
As the Forbidden City opens more of the world-renowned former royal palace to the public, additional treasures will be going on display, according to Shan Jixiang, the museum's director.
Any part of the premises "deemed suitable for opening-up will no longer be forbidden" to the public, Shan said during a lecture on Sunday.
Shan said among the plans are the opening of a new gallery this year to display furniture used by royal families that lived in the palace. The majority of such items have not been publicly shown since 1949.
About 85 percent of the area in the museum, formally known as Palace Museum, will be made accessible to the public by 2025, according to a museum blueprint approved by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage last year. By the end of 2016, about 76 percent of the space was available.
Shan said the remaining areas will require complex restoration projects and therefore need more time to be completed.
The new gallery will showcase 2,400 sets of furniture made mostly of red sandalwood and rosewood from the museum's collection of 6,000 sets that belonged to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
The gallery used to be an old warehouse for construction materials.
"Such areas need to be unlocked as exhibition space," Shan said, adding that some 51,000 square meters of space that is currently awaiting renovation will be made available to tourists.
Another exhibition area, scheduled to be opened by the end of the year, will give the world a chance to view foundations of early Ming buildings, based on archaeological discoveries in recent years. The site dates back to the earliest days of the Forbidden City, Shan said.
The former royal complex, spread over 720,000 square meters, functioned as the seat of power in imperial China from 1420 until the end of the monarchy in 1911.
To allow visitors more viewing space, Shan said only relics restorers and security guards will continue to work within the complex's red walls. Around 750 employees, including him, representing roughly half the staff, will move their offices out of the walled areas.
The Forbidden City's image as a museum has grown since new measures were initiated in 2012.
Before that, it was seen as a highbrow academic institution detached from people's daily lives, and a tourist destination where visitors marveled at the architectural grandeur but knew little about the 1.8 million sets of cultural relics housed here. Most of the doors were shut, too.
More recently, the museum has caught the fancy of China's growing online community with its souvenirs and interactive phone apps.
In 2015, people waited overnight in lines to watch the highest profile shows of ancient calligraphy and painting in the museum's history.
In 2016, a documentary released online and on television, titled Masters in the Forbidden City, invoked interest in the museum's relics restorers.
"Only through more interaction and communication could the abundant cultural resources of the Palace Museum be conveyed to the public," said Yan Hongbin, who is in charge of public education at the Forbidden City. "For many people, this museum has become a part of their everyday lives."
On Sunday, Shan delivered the 100th lecture of a popular series the museum has held to broaden its appeal since he took the helm in 2012.
More than 60 scholars have addressed the lectures that have been attended by 10,000 people. For the lecture on Sunday, the original 350 entry tickets were taken within minutes of being released online.
The museum decided to reopen the online booking system and allow 100 more visitors into the auditorium. But they had to stand through the two-hour lecture.
"Such platforms offer us a chance to get together and share our knowledge and interest in history and culture," said Pei Hong, a Beijing resident who frequently attends the lectures.
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