At the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring Scenic Area in Dunhuang, visitors embark on camel rides, immersing themselves in the enchanting desert surroundings renowned for their Buddhist art and historical grottoes. Meanwhile, in Gaoping city, Shanxi province, the Tiefo Temple, long a hidden treasure with its 500-year-old painted sculptures, recently opened its 72-square-meter main hall to the public. This unveiling coincided with the launch of the highly-popular video game, Black Myth: Wukong, which showcased architecture inspired by the temple and its intricate designs.
The temple has now become a thriving tourist destination, attracting record numbers since its opening. During holidays and weekends, the visitor count peaks at 3,000, even on quieter days still drawing between 400 to 500 travellers, according to Shen Fei, of the Gaoping cultural and tourism bureau. Tickets must be booked online, and visitors often endure long waits just to admire the delicate sculptures for fleeting moments.
Despite the high influx of tourists, Shen noted a positive response overall, emphasizing, “They understand that the safety of the artifacts is the priority. The painted sculptures are so overwhelming that they don’t mind waiting.” As cultural tourism continues to flourish in China, a delicate balance between preservation and accessibility is being critically examined.
Discussions at recent national sessions have highlighted the need for a classification and evaluation system for cultural heritage sites. Hang Kan, a key delegate, indicated that wider public engagement in cultural sites must be considered alongside their protection to ensure continued appreciation and preservation of China’s rich history.
Cultural tourism in China is thriving, driven by popular media like the game Black Myth: Wukong, which spotlighted the Tiefo Temple in Gaoping, Shanxi. Since opening its main hall to the public, visitor numbers have soared, peaking at 3,000 on weekends. Visitors queue for hours to see the ancient sculptures, all while prioritising preservation, as discussions continue on balancing cultural access and heritage protection.
The surge in cultural tourism, evidenced by the popularity of the Tiefo Temple, showcases a growing interest in heritage sites driven by contemporary media, such as video games. Despite significant visitor numbers and potential risks to artefacts, the prioritisation of preservation is upheld. As discussions on balancing access with protection continue, embracing public engagement while safeguarding the past becomes vital for cultural heritage.
Original Source: www.ecns.cn
