Beijing should construct a canal heritage interpretation system in addition to the overall preservation and planning of the Grand Canal cultural belt, proposed by Qin Hongling, two-term deputy to the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress and professor of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture.
Qin made field research at Yongtong Bridge of Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal for several times and she found a stone monument standing there. But the monument doesn’t have any historical stories or descriptions inscribed on it and no one nearby can tell what happened before or any historical stories.
Qin expressed that the cultural relics from the past need storytelling to establish a relationship with modern people and the relationship is easily neglected in preservation. Therefore, she proposed to deeply tap into the literary and documentary resources of canal heritages and regularly hold themed festivals and ceremonies.
“I suggest making a public art or scene design at some important cultural heritage sites,” she added.
