Page 12 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (105)

11 FOCUS | 焦点

A central axis: Linking

profoundness,

grandeur, and daily life

一条线，串起厚重恢弘与人间烟火

On a crisp morning, 14-year-old Yan Jiaqi stands by the
north gate of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven Park, his fingers
lightly tapping the screen of his smartphone to share some
photos. These images capture “graffiti” he discovered on
the park’s walls. Moments later, the Beijing Central Axis
Heritage Protection Center’s computer system receives
the photos and quickly verifies their validity for inspection
purposes.
Yan is a participant in the Beijing Central Axis Digi-
tal Watchman project, which was launched in December
2023. Inspired by the idea of “snap and share,” this in-
itiative empowers everyone traveling along the Central
Axis to become potential guardians of cultural heritage.
The project utilizes advanced technologies such as big
data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain,
knowledge graphs, and innovative cultural creations to
enhance the digital preservation and inheritance of cultural
heritage. Through the Cloud Central Axis WeChat mi-
ni-program, individuals can easily report any instances of
damage or issues that require attention, with the collected
data being used for heritage protection and monitoring.
This summer alone, the initiative generated 7,000
inspection data images, predominantly contributed by
teenagers aged 10 to 16. Not only does this involvement
allow youths like Yan to actively participate in preserving
the Central Axis, but it also deepens their understanding of
its history and culture. Currently, there are around 20,000
participants across Beijing engaging in this important ef-
fort.
Growing up near the Central Axis of Beijing, Tian
Shenshen has recently dedicated herself to the preserva-
tion and revival of the city’s historic areas. Her daily work
involves wandering the old streets and alleys surrounding
the Central Axis, using her feet and pen to document every
nuance of the urban fabric. She understands that revitaliz-
ing the old city is not merely about renovating buildings;
it requires a profound understanding and respect for the
needs of the residents and the current state of urban space.
In a quadrangle courtyard situated in Dongsi Hutong,
she attentively listened to an elderly woman in her 80s,
who expressed her desire to plant flowers in her courtyard.
After numerous designs and modifications, Tian revital-
ized a once-dilapidated building on Dongsi Liutiao Hutong
into a vibrant, flower-filled space, creating a welcoming
corner for local residents to exchange gardening tips and
share their stories.
Tian and her team have undertaken many such projects
aimed at revitalizing old neighborhoods. “Cities are about
people, not concrete and steel,” she said. The warmth,
happiness, and pride that come from enhancing people’s
lives in spaces they have helped create is immeasurable
and invaluable.