On December 21, “Walking the Great Wall, Witnessing the Chinese Civilization”, the 2nd “Assembly by Great Wall” Promotion Activities and Dialogue on World Cultural Heritage was held in Chengde, Hebei Province.
Experts and scholars from the domain of Great Wall culture, along with Chinese and international photographers, conducted thematic presentations and roundtable dialogues focusing on the contents of the protection and inheritance of the Great Wall’s cultural heritage.
This event was jointly organized by Hebei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, CPC Chengde Municipal Committee, and Chengde Municipal People’s Government. As one of the first World Cultural Heritage sites in China, the Great Wall, which spans two millennia and stretches over 40,000 kilometres, has borne witness to significant historical transformations and the exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations. Hebei Province is rich in Great Wall cultural tourism resources, known for its long history of construction and the comprehensive representation of Great Wall remnants from different eras. The province is home to 8,601 Great Wall-related heritage sites, placing it second in the country.
Chang Bin, a member of the Standing Committee and Director General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee, stated that the Great Wall embodies the spirit of perseverance and continuous striving of the Chinese nation and its united, resilient, unyielding patriotism. It has become a representative symbol of the Chinese nation and an important emblem of Chinese civilization. He proposed that efforts should be further strengthened to improve the cooperation mechanism for protecting the Great Wall, enhance research on the preservation of the Great Wall’s heritage, and establish a comprehensive protection pattern for the Great Wall, allowing its value to be fully realized in the new era. The 15 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) along the Great Wall, in collaboration with Great Wall experts and media, jointly carry out branded activities such as “Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Foot of the Great Wall” and “Assembly by Great Wall”, deeply advancing the construction of the National Cultural Park of the Great Wall, developing a Great Wall cultural tourism belt, refining the composite scenic corridor of the Great Wall, and promoting substantial development on both sides of the ancient Great Wall, ensuring it remains a shared spiritual home into the future.
Wang Yajun, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Chengde Municipal Committee, Mayor of Chengde Municipal People’s Government, stated that Chengde is rich in Great Wall cultural relics. In recent years, Chengde has continuously advanced the construction of the National Cultural Park of the Great Wall, completing 15 key cultural heritage protection projects. The “Assembly by Great Wall” promotion activities has established an international platform for “cultural exchange and mutual learning”, which will certainly promote the rejuvenation and brilliance of Great Wall culture in the new era. We will seize this opportunity to further uphold the spirit of the Great Wall, accelerate the development of a system for the protection, inheritance, and utilization of the Great Wall, actively foster multi-sector integration scenarios, and safeguard and develop the common cultural achievements of all humanity.
At the event, Xi Jianchao, researcher and doctoral supervisor of the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, the chief coordinator of the Great Wall Group, Expert Consultation Committee for National Cultural Parks. Kong Fanzhi, President of the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Association, former director of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, and Aladin Farré, producer of “Invisible Summit”, delivered keynote speeches on topics such as “Exploration of the Construction and Protection Practices of the Great Wall National Cultural Park”, “Insights on the Protection of the Great Wall and Central Axis Cultural Heritage” and “The Representation of the Great Wall in International Films and How Cinema Can Promote International Tourism”.
The roundtable dialogue was hosted by Wan Jianying, the chief director of the documentary “The Great Wall” by China Media Group. Su Wenyang, initiator of “Love Our China, Repair Our Great Wall” social sponsorship activity, former editorial board member and director of commentary department of Beijing Evening News. Fang Yuanxing, head of the Great Wall National Cultural Park Project, Culture and Tourism Bureau of Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province. Gao Qiuyan, president of Yulin Great Wall Protection Volunteer Association, Shanxi Province, curator of Yulin Great Wall Theme Exhibition Hall, chairman of Yulin Creative Culture Development Co., LTD. Tiemuer Sana, captain of the Wuyin Squad of Hump (Great Wall) Cultural Relics Protection Team, Alxa Left Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Duan Jiujun, member of China Photographers Association, member of China Great Wall Society, vice chairman of Chengde Photographers Association, and chairman of Luanping Photographers Association. They engaged in a dialogue and exchange on themes such as the construction of the Great Wall National Cultural Park and the protection and promotion of the cultural heritage of the Great Wall.
At the event, the outcomes of the “Walking the Great Wall, Witnessing the Chinese Civilization” promotional research activity for the Great Wall National Cultural Park were released, along with the launch of the “Assembly by Great Wall” cultural and tourism co-creation plan. Certificates were also awarded for the excellent entries in the “Seeing the Great Wall” · International Photography Exhibition on World Cultural Heritage.
During the “A Visual Journey of the Great Wall” event held on the same day, attendees also conducted field visits to the scenic spots of Jinshanling Great Wall and Hualougou Village, experiencing the development changes in the villages at the foot of the Great Wall.
The Great Wall stretches for thousands of miles, while Jinshanling stands out. The event was held at Jinshanling Great Wall, which stretches westward from Longyukou to Wangjinglou in the east, covering a total length of 10.5 kilometres. Along this section, there are five passes of varying sizes and 67 watchtowers. Known as one of the finest sections of the Great Wall, Jinshanling is renowned for its expansive views, dense concentration of watchtowers, unique landscapes, exquisite architectural art, comprehensive military defence system, and well-preserved condition.
This article was originally published by China News Service and republished by China Minutes with permission. If you liked this article why not read: William Lindesay, a Briton who has been exploring the Great Wall of China for 38 years
