Exploring Chinese civilization with the General Secretary｜Pingyao’s Thousand Years of Living Heritage
The ancient city of Pingyao, located in central Shanxi Province and on the southern edge of the Taiyuan Basin, was built during the reign of King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty. It is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in China.
On January 27, 2022, General Secretary Xi Jinping came to the ancient city of Pingyao, Shanxi, to touch history and explore traditions in this "living ancient city". General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out during this inspection and survey: "We must respect history, culture, and ecology, and comprehensively protect historical and cultural heritage."
The simple old street has been around for hundreds of years. Pingyao Ancient City West Street was home to many ticket companies in the late Qing Dynasty, the most representative of which was the Rishengchang Bank established during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. It had witnessed a period of Shanxi merchants who "transported goods to the world" and "connected the world". legend.
In a thousand-year-old city dominated by gray tones, the colorful lacquerware is quite eye-catching. Pingyao lacquerware is named after the luster produced by the palm of the hand. It has a history of more than 2,000 years. It was famous in the Tang Dynasty and prospered in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is one of the four famous lacquerwares in China.
The rich and complete historical relics are the foundation for the ancient city of Pingyao to become famous in the world, and the extensive and profound cultural accumulation is the everlasting soul of the ancient city of Pingyao. Pingyao lacquerware, together with Pingyao beef, mature vinegar and other special cultures, together form the cultural texture of Pingyao, a thousand-year-old city.
On the bluestone road, children chase and play, just like their ancestors did when they were children; in the ancient houses, the unique customs warm every ordinary day; in the photography exhibition, the photos of the intertwining of tradition and modernity are like a reminder of the times. The brushstrokes extend the scroll for thousands of years.
In the interplay of light and shadow, this ancient oriental city opens new doors, confidently walking towards and embracing the world.
