Dialogue on China-ASEAN Cultural Heritage: Unlock Development Wisdom through Heritage Protection
The Roots Routes was honored to once again represent Thailand at the China-ASEAN Dialogue on Cultural Heritage, held in the historic city of Tianshui, located in Gansu Province. Organized by the China Center for International Communication Development and local provincial partners, this event continued its mission of promoting collaboration between China and ASEAN nations through the preservation and revitalization of shared cultural legacies.
Tianshui, which is a national historical cultural city with over 8000 years of cultural history, welcomed delegates with an immersive program that combined academic dialogue, cultural site exploration, and experiential workshops.
Participants get to engagement various activities in many different heritage sites such as:
Maijishan Grottoes & Sculpture Museum: Delegates explored one of China’s most spectacular ancient Buddhist sites, carved into cliffs and home to thousands of sculptures and murals. This UNESCO World Heritage site demonstrated how conservation can coexist with public access and education.
Fuxi Temple: Visits to these sites shed light on Fuxi culture, a foundational element of Chinese identity. From the mythical Eight Trigrams to ritual ceremonies, delegates learned about the power of traditional belief systems in shaping heritage narratives.
Dadiwan Neolithic Site: Participants examined archaeological evidence tracing back 8,000 years, showcasing how early agrarian societies laid the foundations for civilization in the Longyou region.
Creative & Intangible Heritage at No.66 Cultural Park: Through hands-on workshops in tea brewing, clay modeling, and guqin music, the experience underscored the importance of making heritage tangible and accessible for younger generations.
Tianshui ancient city: It is one of China's oldest cities, rich in history and cultural heritage where it showcases how urban cultural heritage can be revived and repurposed by balancing restoration, tourism, and local engagement focusing on local life and culture such as street food, teahouses, and night markets create a vibrant “night economy” The city is refining a sustainable template for managing ancient city centers in modern China and beyond.
Our CEO, Miss Sirada had the opportunity to be one of the panelists in the discussion of the Dialogue alongside members of ASEAN countries in which she shared her experiences and case studies of The Roots Routes.
Overall, it was a valuable opportunity for us at The Roots Routes to learn from organizations, researchers, and heritage preservation professionals from China and ASEAN delegations on how we can protect and amplify the voices of our roots, while fostering global cultural connections with like-minded individuals who share the same mission. Our commitment to preserving cultural heritage through the power of storytelling, technology, and meaningful connections remains strong, and we are always open to potential collaborations and partnerships to achieve our shared missions and visions for the future.
