An aerial view of a corner of the ancient city wall of Datong. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Datong city in North China's Shanxi province became one of the latest 13 members of the International Ancient Walls and Castles Alliance co-established by China, Italy and the United Kingdom, at a recent conference in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province. 

The conference proposed calling the members to strengthen the protection, inheritance, and utilization of ancient city walls, resource sharing, exchange, and mutual learning and promote joint development. 

Datong's city wall is an important landmark of the historic and cultural city. Since 2009, Datong has initiated large-scale city wall protection and restoration projects. By adopting the approach of a heritage park, the city has utilized the urban space generated from the renovation of the old city to create a cultural landscape that integrates cultural relic protection, tourism, leisure, and historical exhibition. 

Cultural venues, including art galleries, sculpture museums, and city wall ruins museums within the confines of city wall spaces, have played a significant role in scientific research, exhibition, and historical inheritance. These institutions have effectively facilitated the transformation of cultural heritage value, contributing to the preservation and promotion of historical and artistic elements. 

In addition, various forms of cultural activities have been organized on the city wall, fulfilling the social service function of cultural heritage.