The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum presents Xinjiang's rich legacy of the Silk Road to all with a vast array of exhibits, interactive installations, and digitalized displays.
Established in 1959, the museum covers over 49,600 square meters and boasts an impressive collection featuring the region's history as the hub of the ancient Silk Road and diverse cultures.
The carefully arranged exhibits aim to thread Xinjiang's history with different stories, historical figures, and topic sections to better enlighten common visitors.
"We have presented related historical events, figures, and stories that reflect ancient Chinese values in a way that is more understandable for the public," said Yu Zhiyong, curator of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum.
The museum also used digital technologies to bring history to life, and interactive installations for both children and adults to learn Chinese history with fun.
"By now, we have digitized over 20,000 artifacts in our collection, transcending time and space to let the public enjoy them in all their splendor. Through a series of interactive digital experiences, we have truly breathed a new life into these cultural relics," said He Jia, vice curator of the museum.
In addition, creative cultural products of the museum also bring relics and stories within the museum to a wider public with lively modern designs.
"We see each creative product as a key to opening the door to Xinjiang Museum's history and culture. By applying various technologies, we recreated the enduring history of the Silk Road's western regions. Static artifacts, texts, and stories become dynamic displays and performances, for our visitors," said Guan Yi, head of the museum's Cultural and Creative Department.
Xinjiang Museum presents history with perfect exhibit design and multimedia
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
