Testimonials

“We embrace Global Heritage Fund’s vision to protect cultural treasures in developing countries, and we are pleased to partner in the effort to preserve Pingyao for future generations, Pingyao has a unique cultural heritage that will endure, thanks to Global Heritage Fund’s collaborative and comprehensive approach to the restoration and revitalization of living ancient cities.”
Fernanda Kellogg
President, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation

“We are grateful for the vision and support from GHF in our work to preserve Pingyao Ancient City. Private sector investment, technical and scientific assistances, and international partnerships are critical to our efforts to protect and successfully preserve Pingyao Ancient City, one of China’s finest jewels.”
Wang Jianzhong, Magistrate of Pingyao

Human Impact Stories From Pingyao

Hao Xinxi (36) Teacher
Hao is currently teaching at the Shanxi Agricultural University, Pingyao Mechanical and Electrical College. Born and raised in the ancient city, he has always been passionate about Pingyao history and culture. As a self-taught local historian, he has been going on a one-man crusade for years collecting and studying valuable information on neglected or even now demolished historical sites in Pingyao and advocating for their protection; yet his call does not really have a big impact given the social and political contexts in China. Since joining GHF as a consultant, Hao is not only thrilled to be involved in a project that shares and values his passion in protecting Pingyao’s cultural heritage but also to have a channel where his voices can be heard by high-level decision makers in the local government. He hopes that GHF can not only provide help in terms of technical expertise and funding, but also provide guidance and support on conservation policies for the ancient city.

Zhao Pengtu (44) Ancient Architecture Expert

Mr. Zhao (center) explaining the characteristics of a traditional courtyard house to Chinese trainees.

With influences from his father who is a well-respected Pingyao historic architecture historian and growing up in their ancestral courtyard home in the ancient city, Zhao has cultivated a keen sense of interest in cultural heritage, architecture and history since a young age. He is now hired as an external consultant at the Pingyao cultural heritage bureau and has participated in many county-wide cultural heritage surveys; thus having a comprehensive knowledge in the condition of the architecture and history within the ancient city. However, his work at the cultural heritage bureau are limited only with classed monuments and is frustrated to see the neglect of many unlisted historic courtyards in the ancient city. Therefore, he is glad to share his intimate knowledge of these historic courtyard houses and the fascinating stories of the family who cohabited in them with GHF. His contact at GHF has also enabled him to have exchanges with international experts; during the GHF organized conservation training course, Zhao not only have the chance to learn about international conservation practices from GHF’s own John Hurd, but is also proud to share his own knowledge on Pingyao traditional architecture and building techniques.

Fan Shaozu (88)

Mr. Fan Shaozu (right) as the “bank manager” at the Rishengchang Draft bank Museum

A native of Pingyao, Fan Shaozu life story is a colorful reflection of modern Chinese history. Once director of the museum and cultural center of a neighboring county, he has returned to Pingyao since his retirement. At the age of 88, Fan still goes to work every day at the Rishengchang Draft Bank Museum; dressed in traditional Qing costume, he writes traditional draft bank notes for visitors from all over the world! His rich knowledge of local Pingyao history and culture includes everything from the life stories of famous local personalities to local culinary arts. GHF has visited Fan several times during the course of the project to have his perspective on the program. He is very glad to know GHF places such importance on Pingyao history and contributes by passing on all his knowledge about Pingyao’s past to future generations through GHF’s work. Fan is now helping to train younger artisans on traditional Pingyao yellow wine making and cooking.

Deng Xiaohua (37)
A factory worker in Pingyao whose real passion lies in culture, literature, antique collection, mineralogy, and local history; Deng is a true self-taught renaissance man. Deng is currently collaborating with GHF on preserving and revitalizing traditional Pingyao wood block prints. He is a one-man printing house where he makes block prints from both antique blocks that he has collected and recreate new blocks from historic prints in his humble courtyard house. He hopes that one day this dying tradition can become a high quality craft product for tourists coming to Pingyao. He also wishes that with the support of GHF, he may be able to have a real wood block print atelier in the ancient city where he can not only sell, but show visitors the making of the prints.

Ji Yunli (44) Clay sculptor
Born in 1965, Ji was trained in lacquer painting and clay sculpting under the influence of an art enthusiast father. She first started her training in clay sculpture at Shuanglin Temple in Pingyao in 1981 and left for further training at the Central Academy of Arts in Beijing. She returned to Pingyao after her studies and became a lacquer art artisan before settling as a full-time clay sculptor in the neighboring Jiexiu County. She learned the making of the Shage Shanxi Opera figurines at Qingxu Temple and has made replicates which were collected by a university professor in 2001. With GHF support, she is able to work part-time in creating these figurines, which also enabled her to return to her native home in Pingyao. The Shage Opera figurines remains one of her biggest passion, she hopes that more people can appreciate this rare and endangered art form and it can also help to increase her family income.

Liu Xiaoli (27) Pingyao Urban Planning Bureau Employee

Ms. Liu (left) conducting survey in a historic courtyard.

A graduate with a degree in business management and international trade, Liu ended up with a job at the Pingyao Urban and rural planning bureau by chance. She was originally an administrative staff at the plan review department, but was transferred to work directly with GHF since the beginning of the collaboration with the department. Coming from a completely different background, Liu has to learn everything from scratch. During the course of her work, Liu became interested by historic buildings and conservation and was motivated to learn as much as she can from more experienced colleagues. Liu is the one person who has clocked the most work hour on the team and her hard work has paid off. Over the course of a year and a half, Liu has advanced from a beginner to a proficient historic building surveyor and draftsman, and one of the main site supervisors. Even though she is doing something that completely different from her background, Liu does not regret. “I find the ancient architecture very interesting and I will like to give my best and learn as much as possible; I hope that I can continue to hold the position and deepen my knowledge in historic buildings.”