Pingyao Ancient City, China
China’s First Banking Capital
A preserved historic courtyard in Pingyao.
Working with the Pingyao County Government, academic and research institutions, GHF is supporting a comprehensive survey of the tangible and intangible cultural resources. This thorough survey will inform and enrich the Heritage Development Program and identify appropriate adaptive reuse of the historic buildings. Information collected will contribute to the development of a comprehensive interpretation plan.
The Heritage Development Program will support the training for the remaining skilled craftspeople and artisans to pass on and preserve Pingyao’s unique living heritage of arts, crafts, cuisines and performing arts to the next generation. This integrated, sustainable program addresses the economic imbalance of the current tourism landscape, as well as preserves the last remaining endangered historic courtyards and living arts and cultural heritage, thereby realizing the authenticity and character of Pingyao Ancient City.
A conservation training course was supported and co-organized by GHF and the Pingyao County Urban and Rural Planning Bureau (PYPB) as part of the GHF Pingyao Cultural Heritage Development Program. The aim of the training course was to raise awareness of conservation concepts, principles and techniques amongst local officials and staff who are directly responsible for the conservation of Pingyao Ancient City. Both international and local instructors presented to a group of 40-50 students in Pingyao Ancient City, covering a range of topics relating to the care and maintenance of cultural heritage sites and on traditional architecture and building crafts.
As a living city, Pingyao’s value does not lie only in its tangible heritage; the intangible heritage, including the authentic lifestyle of the original inhabitants, is an integral part of the significance of the Ancient City. In order to protect Pingyao’s unique traditional crafts and folk arts, a program of research, survey, and documentation of endangered intangible heritage in Pingyao has been carried out. After consultation with local experts, selected traditional arts and crafts are listed as protection and development subjects, including: traditional cuisines (wine, snacks, pasta, vinegar, etc.), wood block printing, clay and wood sculpture, weaved vessels, and the unique Shage Opera Figurines.
Craftsmen of endangered or disappearing crafts have been identified to work with the project, many of whom would not be able to continue the trade without GHF support, and GHF is collaborating with the local Pingyao Television Station to produce a documentary series on the traditional art and crafts. The next step will involve the continuation of and training in traditional crafts production as well as educational and commercial developments of the crafts/products for the community and visitors. The venue for these activities will be in a restored courtyard dwelling provided by the historic courtyard conservation and rehabilitation program.
