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FOCUS | 焦点

A dialogue with history

与历史对话

In the heart of Lincang city, a USSR-era style Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism explained,
building, originally constructed in 1959 as the Lin- “To truly bring cultural relics to life, we cannot rely
cang Prefectural Commissioner’s Office, now serves solely on glass display cases.” In response, the Lin-
as the core exhibition area of the Lincang Archaeo- cang Archaeological Museum has launched three
logical Museum. major initiatives: integrating culture with tourism,
A major highlight of the museum is the Tea-Horse empowering exhibits with technology, and vitalizing
Ancient Road, prominently featured on the central their utilization.
axis of the outdoor exhibition area. The Lushi section, “We can now see a village gate, which serves
one of the best-preserved ancient post roads within the purpose of welcoming and sending off guests,
present-day Lincang, dates back to 1302 and spans symbolizing the meaning of ‘all ethnic groups
nearly seven centuries. This historic trade route, rely- are one family,’” explained a guide to a group of
ing on horse caravans for transport, served as a vital primary school students about the museum’s ex-
corridor for economic and cultural exchange among hibits in the Lincang Intangible Cultural Heritage
Southwest China’s ethnic groups. A stone-paved path exhibition area. The Lincang Archaeological Mu-
along the east-west axis vividly recreates the appear- seum, in collaboration with science and technology
ance of the existing ancient road, with stone horses departments, educational institutions, and cultural
flanking it to represent the endless caravan teams that organizations, conducts study tours such as on-
once traversed the route. site teaching and artifact identification. Through
Upon entering the museum, visitors are enveloped interactive experiences, it aims to deepen historical
by a seamless intertwining of time and space, while understanding, particularly for young people, using
a palpable sense of everyday life fosters a deep con- immersive education to pass on the revolutionary
nection. It is as if the museum itself is a storytelling legacy and cultivate patriotic sentiments. By in-
grandpa next door, sharing the rich tales of Lincang troducing businesses such as tea and coffee shops,
in the most down-to-earth way. cultural and creative retail, and themed photogra-
A chipped porcelain bowl might once have cradled phy, and launching interactive projects like archae-
the year’s golden harvest, while a small silver brace- ological experiences and cultural relic handicraft
let, naturally oxidized to black, perhaps glimmered workshops, the museum aims to make cultural relic
with the tender hopes of a pair of parents. Such resources new tourist highlights and promote cul-
humble objects, though never reaching historical tural heritage to the general public.
records, vividly transmit the warmth and vibrancy of In the museum’s virtual experience zone, visitors
daily life—from the wisps of smoke curling from a can “travel through time” to the site of the Cangyu-
stove to the joyful laughter of a new rice festival. As an Cliff Paintings by utilizing technological means.
Mr. Peng, a local resident, observed during his visit: The smart navigation system interacts with virtual
“The exhibits here aren’t ‘antiques’ that are high and scenes, allowing visitors to return to historical settings,
mighty; rather, they are things that neighbors once significantly enhancing the educational experience
used and saw. As you wander around, you’ll suddenly for younger generations. As he paused with his
realize, ‘History is right here, in the street corners and daughter, citizen Mr. Huang shared, “My child
small alleys!’” particularly loves the interactive projects
Tangible history comes alive at the museum, from here; every time we come, she wants to
the robust chains of Qinglong Bridge to its majestic experience them. This immersive
stone lions and elephants. Throughout the exhibits, experience, unlike textbooks,
Stone Age tools and ceramic vessels from the Ming genuinely makes her fall in
and Qing dynasties powerfully recount centuries of love with history and re-
historical change. As an official from the Lincang member it even more.”