Ancient sites link with future

It's an oft-repeated phrase that "China has a 5,000-year-old civilization". Thanks to a myriad of heritage sites, which still remain standing above ground across the country, psychological bonds may emerge connecting modern visitors' minds and the distant past.

Through communication and integration, cultures appeared, evolved and merged. Time takes a toll on the appearances of these monuments, but it has not wiped out the clear, uninterrupted lineage of the Chinese civilization that has created them.

China now has 56 entries on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. President Xi Jinping has visited various sites or offered key guidance on the protection of the nation's historical legacies on various occasions in recent years.

Saturday will be China's annual Cultural and Natural Heritage Day. On this special occasion, let's take a look at one of the nation's heritage highlights.

Ancient City of Pingyao

As an excellent example of a traditional Chinese city, the walls and urban fabric of Pingyao, in Shanxi province, were formed in the 14th century and show the evolution of architectural styles in the following five centuries. Its major buildings associated with banking and numerous dwellings are testimony to a commercial hub with a wide business network. Shuanglin Temple is known for its collection of more than 2,000 decorated clay statues.

Xi visited the ancient city in 2022, and emphasized the importance of preserving cultural relics and upholding cultural confidence. He then said cultural heritage belongs to not only this generation, but also the generations to come.