Nestled in the vast Gobi Desert 40 kilometers west of Ushi County lies the Beidieli Beacon Tower, the westernmost point of the Great Wall of China that still stands today. Nearby is the Beidieli Great Wall National Culture Park, which together with the beacon tower showcases the continuity and evolution of Chinese civilization.
The ancient Silk Road has long been a conduit for cultural exchange. As a pivotal node along this route, Xinjiang has been a melting pot of four great civilizations, facilitating the preservation and development of Chinese culture.
In recent years, Xinjiang has adhered to Xi Jinping’s cultural thought as a guiding principle, continuously strengthening the shared consciousness of the Chinese nation through tangible and effective measures. Efforts have been made in the realms of cultural relic protection, research, interpretation, and activation to ensure that artifacts in museums and sites across the land come to life, fully showcasing Chinese culture in a way that resonates deeply with people.
**Preservation First: Continuing the Cultural Legacy**
In the clear autumn of October at the ruins of Jiaohe City, visitors are exploring the scenic area while a team of conservation experts works diligently to reinforce and restore the site. The ancient city of Jiaohe has been a crucial transit point on the Silk Road and serves as a significant testament to over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. In recent years, the National Cultural Heritage Administration and local governments have significantly increased funding—amounting to 130 million yuan—for targeted conservation projects at Jiaohe. “Currently, 90% of the two residential courtyards on the site have been restored, and half of the eastern cliff protection work is complete. By the end of this year, we aim to finish 80% of the total project, with the fifth phase of conservation set to conclude by mid-May next year,” said Wang Jiandong, director of the Jiaohe Ancient City Relics Management Office.
Efforts are also underway to enhance the 4th National Cultural Relics Census, providing a clearer picture of cultural assets in Xinjiang. Key projects aimed at safeguarding critical sites including the Western Regions Protectorate ruins and the ancient cities of Gaochang, Loulan, and Jiaohe are also being accelerated. Xinjiang insists on a “preservation-first” policy while trying to effectively utilize its rich historical and cultural heritage.
In 60 BC, the Western Han Dynasty established the Protectorate of the Western Regions in Luntai, marking the incorporation of Xinjiang into Chinese territory. It’s around this historical landmark that Luntai County is developing a patriotic education base— the Western Regions Protectorate Museum. “With a total investment of about 170 million yuan, the main construction is completed. Once finished, it will serve to collect, preserve, study, and showcase archaeological findings from places like the ancient cities of Zhuoerqute and Kuiyu Ke,” said Zhu Yanling, secretary of the Cultural, Sports, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau of Luntai County.
Earlier this year, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake significantly damaged the Beidieli Beacon Tower. “After reporting the situation, the regional government organized two expert investigation teams and applied for national funds. In August, experts worked to stabilize the beacon according to the principle of ‘restoring it to its original state,’ bringing it back to its pre-earthquake condition,” shared Lin Yanfei, curator of the Ushi County Museum.
**Harnessing Technology: Revitalizing Cultural Relics**
“Get ready; we are about to embark on a thousand-year journey into the Buddhist temple.” With the guidance of a museum docent at the Northern-Tian-Shan High Chang Uighur Buddhist Temple ruins, visitors find themselves immersed in a 5D experience where the temple’s grandeur, realistic statues, and exquisite murals are vividly brought back to life thanks to digital technology.
The aim is to bring the artifacts in museums, the heritage scattered across the landscape, and the texts inscribed in ancient books to life. Since the Northern-Tian-Shan ruins were designated as a National Archaeological Heritage Park in 2013, it has become Xinjiang’s first such park, covering 5,000 acres. Two major components, the Northern-Tian-Shan High Chang Uighur Buddhist Temple Museum and the Silk Road Northern-Tian-Shan Ruins Museum, employ holographic projection, VR displays, and interactive technology to vividly present the site and significant archaeological finds. “Archaeological research has bolstered museum development, and digital technology has invigorated cultural heritage,” said Zheng Li, executive deputy dean of the Northern-Tian-Shan Research Institute.
The Wuliy Culture Museum combines modern technology such as audiovisual components to offer audience members an immersive experience of various Great Wall landscapes, illustrating the profound essence of China’s Great Wall culture. Meanwhile, the immersive digital museum experience in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture allows visitors to don VR headsets and explore legendary sites like the Kizil Gaha Beacon and the Kizil Caves. The Qinjing Wei-Jin Ancient Tombs Museum dazzles with its holographic theater and 3D displays, while various museums across the region continuously enrich their exhibits and presentation techniques to promote the revitalization of cultural relics.
During this year’s National Day holiday, the Hami Museum reached a record high with up to 7,627 visitors in a single day, totaling 37,000 over the holiday. “We’re increasing efforts for digital upgrades and established immersive experience halls, enhancing our public services to meet the spiritual and cultural needs of various ethnic groups,” shared Yan Feng, curator of Hami Museum. Earlier this year, the museum achieved national first-level designation.
**Cultural Tourism Innovation: Showcasing Rich Heritage**
“Every alley and home here tells a story, with stone-carved murals and vibrant performances of Kuqa music and dance—truly deserving of a national-level historic cultural city,” expressed Jiangsu tourist Wang Yixin while exploring the ancient city of Kuqa on October 6.
Preservation is the foundation for utilization, and utilization translates preservation into tangible outcomes. Named a National Historic Cultural City by the State Council in 2012, Kuqa was recently included in the second batch of “National Model Zones for Cultural Heritage Protection and Utilization.” In recent years, Kuqa has focused on establishing itself as a global culture tourism destination, implementing key projects like the Wei-Jin Ancient Tombs Museum and conservations of Qing Dynasty city wall ruins.
“With the new opportunities presented by the integration of culture and tourism, we’ve created new attractions such as the Kuqa Alley and cultural exploration paths, initiating actions like ‘Rescue the Old Homes.’ Various cultural events breathe new life into the millennia-old Kuqa ancient city, attracting large numbers of visitors eager to connect with its historical pulse and charm,” noted Gao Xianzhi, director of Kuqa’s Cultural, Sports, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau.
The protection, transmission, and utilization of cultural heritage offer richer cultural and tourism experiences, products, and services while enhancing people’s spiritual life. Xinjiang continues to use culture to enrich travel and to highlight heritage while effectively protecting its historical assets. The region is keen on developing red tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and educational travel formats, enabling cultural heritage to thrive.
The Xinjiang Museum’s innovative “Cultural Relics + Performance + Cultural Creation” project has been selected as a model case for the National Cultural Heritage Administration’s high-quality development program in 2023. It includes an immersive stage play, “The Voices of a Thousand Years,” based on artifacts such as the Kizil Cave murals, merging cultural heritage with smart tourism.
Since its opening in April 2023, the Beidieli Great Wall National Culture Park has welcomed 160,000 visitors. “The park incorporates both cultural exhibition areas and venues, allowing visitors to gain a comprehensive understanding of the rich Chinese Great Wall culture and witness numerous historical remnants,” explained Hu Xiaoyan, Ushi County’s Party Committee member and publicity department head. “Our goal is to continue digging into the site’s historical roots, achieving a perfect blend of heritage protection and functional development, making this a destination for tourism, historical education, and patriotic spirit.”
