At a time when modernisation and globalisation have eroded traditional heritage of so many societies across the world, the People’s Republic of China has guided every aspect of its culture with pride and jealousy.

With a rich cultural heritage spanning over 4,000 years, China’s love for its culture is a testament to the country’s resilience and dedication to preserving its ancient traditions for the benefits of the younger generations.

The Chinese have also not relented in ensuring that it upgrades facilities and institutions of culture, most times, engaging the use of modern technology to make some elements of culture blend with time and era without distorting its original value.

It is one of the countries of the world that have remained very proud of their culture. For instance, irrespective of how big or classic an occasion or get-together is, Chinese people place emphasis on their chopstick at meal times and watch their guests struggle with delight to adopt to the famous traditional cutlery.

As strenuous as the use of chopstick remains, every visitor to Chinese eatery or wherever meal is served goes with a mindset of getting acculturated into adopting their proud ancient eating culture.

China as a country also boasts of amazing natural and historical sites and destinations, intricate art of calligraphy and cultural landscapes all which form part of a vibrant sector of the economy.

Even as China continues to propagate its reform and modernisation process, its people have not only remained deeply rooted in their cultures but are passing same to the up-coming generations with pride. This attitude is what shapes the identity of every Chinese, inspires them and continues to influence their trajectory on the world stage.

By recognising the place of culture and successfully integrating its cultural heritage into daily life, mainstreaming same into developmental policies and creating strong institutions to oversee the sector, culture has been one of the most viable and money spinning sectors of Chinese economy.

Recognition of the imperative of the sector to national development also comes with huge investment. Government at all levels takes keen interest in arts and culture and commits time and resources to its development, promotion and marketing.

Government’s interest and willingness to fund the sector elicited the private sector’s zeal to invest in the sector. Thus, all aspects and elements of culture, including the creative industry are effective, vibrant with government funding and support from the private sector.

To further buttress the importance of culture, in Dongyang, Beijing, a Qin Palace and residence of members of the imperial family and senior officials of the emperor was converted to a renowned film production studio.

The local authorities of this Chinese city decided a few years ago to revitalise the historic site by transforming it into a filming location for movies and television series. The people’s creative ingenuity and eyes for the arts led to discovering the environment with an impressive architecture as an ideal setting to recreate historical and rich scenery.

Consequently, both local and international productions are shot in the place with variety of sets opened to production teams. The transformation of the Qin Palace into a film production studio has had a positive impact on the region.

“By attracting directors, actors and film crews from around the world, the palace helps stimulate the local economy and promote tourism in the region. Thus, the Qin Palace in Dongyang is both a historic site and a place of artistic creation.

“This fusion between the past and the present adds a unique dimension to this emblematic place. Inside this palace, a 3D digital journey that transports you through time is offered to you. The Qin Palace perfectly embodies the ability to reinvent historical sites while preserving their original essence and charm,”said Mr. Wang Huawei, Standing Member of the Communist Party of China, Dongcheng District Committee and Deputy Mayor, Dongcheng District.

Also, the country’s performing arts group – China Oriental Performing Arts Group Co., Ltd (COPAG) enjoys tremendous support from both national and immediate community government and has grown become very popular in the country.

It was said to have toured over 100 countries and five continents, staging over 700 shows in Beijing annually and serving as a tourism product for revenue generation and employment creation.

“It is the most prestigious national art troupe in China and represents the highest achievements of China’s music and dance, nurturing numerous world renown artists, created and performed countless fine art works which were presented to Chinese and foreign audience.

“On behalf of China, COPAG has delivered thousands of performances around five continents covering more than 100 countries and regions, and participated in numerous important national performances. This plays a unique role in promoting friendship and culture exchanges between China and the rest countries of the world as a cultural envoy,” the director of the centre said.

A journey through different Provinces and cities portrays China as a land with plethora of museums. Beyond showcasing the country’s fascinating history that cut across politics, conquest, festivals, religion and socialization, people’s love for history promotes domestic tourism, thereby creating jobs and generating revenue.

From the famous Forbidden City and iconic Great Wall in Beijing, the Country’s Capital City, to the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum located in Lintong District of Xi’an ancient City of Shaanxi Province, China’s museums are a treasure of historical artifacts, relics and stories and citizens are committed to know their past in order to plan their future.

This explains why tens of thousands of Chinese troop into historical museums, sites and destinations with unimaginable excitement and enthusiasm.

Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum for instance, receives over 10,000 in ordinary times and over 60,000 domestic tourists during national festivals and New Year celebration period.

The large heritage museum incorporates the terracotta Warrior Museum and the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Park and has been listed among the first batch of major historical and cultural sites protected at the national level by the State Council. It was also among the first batch of major historical and cultural sites in China included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It is also reputed as the “Eight Wonders” of the world.

First discovered in 1974 as one of the greatest archaeological findings of the 20th century, and the spiritual symbol of Chinese civilisation, the country has promoted the sites to the extent that it has received over 270 foreign heads of states and governments as well as more than 100 million visitors locally and internationally.

The terracotta warriors have been exhibited in over 40 countries and 170 cities as an epitome of the civilization of ancient China.

Economically, the site generates huge income for the country, which can be diverted into other areas of development as every visitor pays an entrance fee of about $15. Going by this amount, the city of Xi’an may be generating around $150,000 from creating a destination out of pits that house terracotta figures of warriors that lived in ancient times.

This terracotta pit of Emperor Qin Shi Huang holds figures representing soldiers, horses and even musicians deeply buried near a tomb in the Linzi Region, the former Capital of Qi Dynasty.

According to ancient beliefs, this army was supposed to accompany and protect the deceased on his journey to the afterlife.

In other to move with time and history, China, whose level of technological advancement and creativity speak volume of a serious government and people have devised means of integrating modernity into museums. Some of them therefore, such as the Museum of the Communist Party Museum does not only document the political upheavals that led to the new China, the government has installation a 3D digital screen, which transports one in space within minutes to all the Provinces, across the mountains, valleys and seas and all the beauties that define the country create a mixture of excitement and fear.

The Great Walls also form parts of the numerous cultural sites in the country that attract high number of visitors. According to the latest statistics, the number of tourists travelling to the Great Wall sums to nearly 20 million each year.

Among the many sections, Badaling Great Wall, the most famous one all over the world, receives about 16 million tourists each year. Mutianyu Great Wall, comparatively more popular among foreign tourists receives 1.4 million tourists annually.

In the peak travel time during the two golden weeks – the National Day Holiday and Chinese New Year Holiday, the tourist volume of Badaling Great Wall goes as high as 70 thousand daily.
Speaking about the relationship between modernization and culture, Chinese President, Xi Jinping, in one of his speeches stated to achieve total modernization, people must have a correct understanding of its own history, culture and national conditions.

He added that the modernisation of any country is a complex and long-term task that requires not only economic growth but also the betterment of people’s lives, the improvement of the ecological environment and the strengthening of social governance.

According to him, it requires not only the development of individuals but also the progress of society as a whole. It requires not only the improvement of material conditions but also the enrichment of cultural and philosophical life.

He insisted that modernisation is a comprehensive and multifaceted task and to achieve it, a country must first, have a correct understanding of its own history, culture and national conditions.

“It must be brave enough to reform and innovate and it must be willing to take responsibilities for the people and the country. It must be able to withstand the tests of time and the tide of the world, and it must be able to make its own decisions and its own actions.

“The modernisation of a country is not a replica of others’ experiences but a creation of its own. It is not a mere transplantation of others’ models but a growth of its own. It is not a mere pursuit of material wealth but a betterment of the people’s lives. It is not a mere competition of power but a cooperation of common development.

“The modernisation of a country is a blessing for its own people and it is also a contribution to human civilization. The modernization of a country is a dream for its own future and it is also a hope for human progress,” he said.

Forbidden City also attracts a lot of visitors who supports individual economy through purchase of items. Located in the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City is one of China’s most famous museums. It showcases the history of the Ming and Qing dynasties with over 1 million artifacts that include ancient paintings, ceramics, furniture and jewelry on display.

Others are, National Museum of China, one of the largest museums in the world with a collection that has spanned from prehistoric times to the modern era, with over 1 million artifacts on display; Shanghai Museum, known for its collection of ancient Chinese art and cultural relics including bronze artifacts, ceramics, paintings and sculptures

No doubt, China’s museums are a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage and its commitment to preserving history. With over 6,500 museums across the country, China continues to captivate audience with its fascinating stories, ancient artifacts and historical relics.

Whether one is a culture enthusiast or simply curious about the world, China’s museums are more than just repositories of historical artifacts; they are major gateways to understanding the country’s complex history, culture and the people.

As China continues to evolve, its museums remain an integral part of its identity, a reminder of its past and a bridge to its future. In fact, they are at the forefront of the country’s cultural revival.

The Palace Museum, National Museum of China and Shanghai Museum are just a few examples of prominent institutions showcasing the nation’s artistic, historical and cultural treasures; making cultural heritage accessible and engaging for the public, with innovative exhibitions, interactive displays and digital experiences. The Palace Museum, for instance, has seen a significant increase in visitors since its renovation, recording about 17 million visitors annually.

Cultural events and sites are also major drivers of tourism in the country and with internal security and efficient transport system, citizens travel far and near without fear of insecurity.