Safeguarding

Dragon and lion dances staged in Chongren ancient town on Wednesday. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily] Chongren ancient town, nestled in Shengzhou, Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, stands as a beacon for the preservation of ancient architecture, setting a commendable example in safeguarding historical buildings. Encompassing a sprawling 30-hectare expanse in the northwest of Shengzhou, the town boasts a wealth of cultural heritage sites, comprising architectural complexes, temples, ancestral halls, and ancient wells dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) up to the early 20th century. Wang Xinjun, director of the Shengzhou Cultural Relics Protection Center, highlighted the comprehensive restoration initiative undertaken since 2012, spanning four phases aimed at reviving the ancient buildings. As the fourth phase nears completion, Wang emphasized the meticulous approach to preserving the original features of the structures while addressing safety concerns, ensuring that the historical essence of the buildings remains intact.   Local students are engaged in social activities in the town. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily] Local engagement plays a pivotal role in safeguarding these sites, with each ancient complex, now housing multiple households, appointing a group leader recommended by the community. These leaders oversee sanitation and identify potential threats to the buildings, fostering a sense…

Sonam Tsering, a Manpa (traditional physician), introduces the medicinal herbs to students for the Lum bathing recorded in the medical thangka of Gyud zhi (the Four Trantras) [Photo provided by the National Center for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in China]Traditional Tibetan bathing for a medical purpose was inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO Wednesday.The entry, officially known as Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa, knowledge and practices concerning life, health and illness prevention and treatment among the Tibetan people in China, obtained the status at the 13th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is ongoing in Port Louis, Mauritius.It is China's 40th entry on the list.Students at the Tibetan Traditional Medicine College read the Gyud zhi (the Four Tantras) in Lhasa, capital city of the Tibetan autonomous region. [Photo provided by the National Center for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in China]In the Tibetan language, the word "Lum" indicates the traditional knowledge and practices of bathing in natural hot springs, herbal water or steam to adjust the balance of the body and mind, ensure health, and treat illness.It reflects…

On the evening of November 29, at the 17th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Rabat, Morocco, the "Traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China" nominated by China were inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. "Traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China" covers the knowledge, skills, and practices of tea plantation management, tea leaf picking, manual processing, drinking, and sharing. Since ancient times, Chinese people have been growing, picking, making, and drinking tea. Using the art of tea making, tea makers have developed six major tea types, namely green, yellow, dark, white, oolong, black teas, and reprocessed tea such as flower-scented teas, and more than 2,000 kinds of tea products to meet the various needs of the people with different colors, aromas, tastes and shapes.   1 - The Origin of Chinese Traditional Tea Shennong used tea as an antidote for hundreds of poisons. Shu gave homegrown tea to the emperor of the Zhou Dynasty as a tribute. Since Lu Yu, the Saint of Tea, composed the "The Classic of Tea (茶经)", the status of tea has gone…