Xinhua Silk Road: Ancient ethnic Chinese legacy revealing cultural fusion inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage
Located at the foot of Helan Mountain in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the Xixia Imperial Tombs represent the largest, highest-ranking, and best-preserved archaeological remains of the Xixia Dynasty (1038-1227).
The heritage area encompasses nine imperial mausoleums, 271 subordinate tombs, one architectural complex at the northern end, and 32 flood control facilities.
Through nearly half a century of excavation, over 7,100 exquisite artifacts have been unearthed, including a gilded bronze ox and a glazed Chiwen. These findings vividly showcase the features of Xixia civilization.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognized the Xixia Imperial Tombs as an outstanding testament to multicultural fusion.
Their spatial layout, design philosophy, and architectural forms inherited the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties' imperial mausoleum systems while integrating Buddhist beliefs and ancient local ethnic customs. This created unique funerary traditions and demonstrated the dynasty's significant role in cultural and commercial exchanges along the Silk Road during the 11th to 13th centuries.
The Chinese government's tremendous efforts and outstanding achievements in protecting the cultural heritage of the Xixia Imperial Tombs were highly commended by the Committee.
Since being designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1988, the site has established comprehensive laws, regulations, and a management system.
Particularly since 2000, in collaboration with professional institutions, 60 major reinforcement projects have been successfully implemented on the tombs themselves. These have essentially eliminated instability risks and surface erosion issues affecting the imperial mausoleums and main subordinate tombs.
Furthermore, the removal of approximately 100,000 square meters of buildings and modern facilities within the heritage zone, combined with the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring and early-warning platform, has effectively ensured the site's authenticity, integrity, and preservation environment.
International scholars point out that the Xixia Imperial Tombs serve as crucial physical evidence for studying ancient ethnic relations, architectural arts, and funerary traditions in China. Their successful inscription enriches the diversity of global cultural heritage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
3 hours ago
- Cision Canada
The Government of Canada invests over $14.4 million to empower young Canadians to address climate change and support a healthy environment Français
VANCOUVER, BC, July 22, 2025 /CNW/ - From protecting our wildlife to conserving our forested areas, young Canadians play a big part in tackling climate change. Still, they can be better equipped to do so through enhanced access to resources and environmental education. We are committed to providing young people with the knowledge and skills to create sustainable solutions to environmental challenges as we work toward a clean, net-zero emissions economy by 2050. Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada is investing over $14.4 million from the Environmental Damages Fund's Climate Action and Awareness Fund to support 17 environmental literacy projects across Canada. These projects will develop the tools and skills young Canadians need as they work toward solutions to fight climate change. The Minister announced the funding in Vancouver while visiting one of the funding recipients, BC Parks Foundation. They are receiving $1.8 million to develop the environmental literacy and leadership of young Canadians in British Columbia. This project will provide opportunities for students across the province to learn about and take positive steps to mitigate climate change and improve biodiversity in parks and protected areas, as well as in their school grounds and classrooms. In addition to the funding from the Climate Action and Awareness Fund, BC Parks Foundation is receiving $1.5 million from the Government of British Columbia's Ministry of Environment and Parks for this project. This funding complements the investment made by BC Parks Foundation. The project is a promising example of provincial-federal-private collaboration on environmental learning. Indigenous communities and organizations, academia, community organizations, and environmental organizations are leading the projects receiving funding today. The projects include creating learning opportunities in parks, holding community outreach events, and developing learning materials for young Canadians and their educators. This will help increase awareness of the local environment and demonstrate how residents can make an impactful difference in their communities. Of the funding announced today, $3.2 million is dedicated to Indigenous-led projects, aiming to provide Indigenous youth with environmental education that intertwines both Traditional Knowledge and western climate science. Quotes "Young Canadians are driven, curious, and creative, and they have the power to find dynamic and innovative solutions to take action against climate change. Our goal through the Climate Action and Awareness Fund is to provide them with the necessary resources to find these solutions. Environmental literacy is crucial and often overlooked in the fight against climate change. By making these resources accessible, we will equip the future generation of Canadians, their parents, guardians, and educators with the knowledge and skills they need to help reduce Canada's emissions and create a more sustainable future." – The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change "Spending time in nature is important for our overall health and well-being. When we connect youth to nature on their school grounds, we aren't just showing them the beauty of the natural world—we are helping them understand their local parks and their importance, which is key to growing a culture of environmental stewardship. We are grateful to British Columbia's provincial parks' supporters for making this possible, and through the BC Parks Licence Plate Program, we are proud to support the BC Parks Foundation's Learning by Nature program." – The Honourable Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks, Government of British Columbia "At this critical juncture, when our planet is facing a climate emergency, environmental literacy for young people is essential. As those that represent the future of this country, their ability to understand the complex issues facing our environment will equip them well into being better citizens and helping to build a stronger, more sustainable economy for the future." – Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville "We're thrilled to be part of a national movement that brings nature into the heart of education. Through our Learning by Nature program, students are transforming schoolyards into thriving, biodiverse spaces where they can take climate action, support local ecosystems, and connect with nearby protected areas. These nature-rich environments improve academic outcomes and provide opportunities for land-based learning, while also supporting mental health and well-being, right where kids learn and play." – Jennie McCaffrey, Vice President, Health and Education, BC Parks Foundation Quick facts Environmental literacy is a key goal of environmental learning. It refers to the ability to understand and consider how human activities, ecological systems, and the changing climate are connected. Environmental literacy involves understanding not only climate science and environmental forces at work, but also sustainable practices and the ethical and social aspects of environmental challenges. The projects announced today include those national in scope, as well as local initiatives that will benefit youth across the country. As part of a pilot project to maximize the investment and increase project impact, some funding recipients also secured additional support from Canadian philanthropic organizations which share an interest in environmental education and climate literacy. Through strong, trusted partnerships across various sectors of society, the Government of Canada is taking a collaborative approach to supporting youth in taking action through practical measures for a prosperous and low-carbon future. Created in 1995, the Environmental Damages Fund is a Government of Canada program administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The Fund receives money from fines, penalties, court orders, and voluntary payments for environmental violations. This money is used to support projects that will benefit Canada's natural environment, usually in the area where the violation occurred. Established in 2020 and administered under the Environmental Damages Fund, the Climate Action and Awareness Fund was created largely from the highest penalty ever received by the Environmental Damages Fund. The Climate Action and Awareness Fund is investing up to $206 million over five years to support Canadian-made projects that help reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. These projects are critical to building a sustainable net-zero emissions economy by 2050. Associated links Climate Action and Awareness Fund Environmental Damages Fund Environment and Climate Change Canada's LinkedIn page Environment and Climate Change Canada's Instagram page SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
Cision Canada
17 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation - EVENING LOTTERY WINNING NUMBERS - July 21, 2025
TORONTO, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Monday 21/07/2025 Daily Grand Regular Draw 01, 02, 39, 41, 49 Grand No 06 POKER LOTTO Winning Hand: 3-D, 2-H, A-C, 8-D, K-C. MEGA DICE LOTTO 6, 7, 16, 26, 32 & 35 Bonus 25. PICK-2: 2 7 PICK-3: 0 6 5 PICK-4: 4 2 0 7 ENCORE: 2248940 DAILY KENO 3, 7, 11, 13, 16, 17, 22, 25, 30, 32 38, 40, 43, 49, 51, 53, 56, 59, 64, 67. POWERBUCKS™ WATCH 'N WIN: 2, 9, 12, 18, 33, 36 MidDay lottery winning numbers PICK-2: 0 2 PICK-3: 9 7 5 PICK-4: 8 7 5 5 ENCORE: 9839857 DAILY KENO 1, 5, 6, 10, 14, 20, 26, 31, 35, 36 39, 40, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 52, 65, 70. POWERBUCKS™ is a trademark of IGT or its affiliates. SOURCE OLG Winners
Global News
a day ago
- Global News
Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashes into school, killing 20 in capital
A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school in Dhaka, the capital, shortly after takeoff on Monday afternoon, catching fire and killing the pilot and at least 19 other people, most of whom were students, officials said. Another 171 students were rescued with injuries from a smoldering two-story building, officials said, including many with burns who were whisked away in helicopters, motorized rickshaws and the arms of firefighters and parents. The Chinese-made F-7 BGI training aircraft experienced a 'technical malfunction' moments after takeoff at 1:06 p.m. local time, and the pilot attempted to divert the plane to a less populated area before crashing into the campus of Milestone School and College, according to a statement from the military. Students said the school's buildings trembled violently, followed by a big explosion that sent them running for safety. A desperate scene soon unfolded at the crash site, as panicked relatives searched for loved ones. Screams filled the air at a nearby hospital. Story continues below advertisement The Milestone school is in Dhaka's Uttara neighborhood, which is roughly 11 kilometers (7 miles) drive from the A.K. Khandaker air force base. The school is in a densely populated area near a metro station and numerous shops and homes. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The pilot, Flight Lt. Mohammed Toukir Islam, made 'every effort to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas toward a more sparsely inhabited location,' the military said, adding that it would investigate the cause of the accident. It is the deadliest plane crash in the Bangladeshi capital in recent memory. In 2008, another F-7 training jet crashed outside Dhaka, killing its pilot, who had ejected after he discovered a technical problem. The government announced a national day of mourning on Tuesday, with flags to fly at half-staff across the country. At the crash site Monday afternoon, a father sprinted with his daughter cradled in his arms. A mother cried out, having found her younger child, but desperately searched for her older one. Another father described his feeling of helplessness while waiting to learn the fate of his daughter. 'The plane crashed on the building where my daughter was. My wife called me, but I was praying so I could not pick up,' Jewel, who goes by one name, said at the scene. 'When I came here I saw there was a huge fire. There was a dead body of a child.' Story continues below advertisement Luckily, his daughter was safe, he said, but he saw many other children suffering from burns. Students also scrambled to see what had happened. 'We fought with the crowd and the soldiers to get close to the crash site in our school,' said Estiak Elahi Khan, who is in the 11th grade. 'What I saw I can't describe that … that's terrible.' Doctors at Uttara Adhunik Hospital said more than 60 students, many between the ages of 12 and 16, were transferred to a special hospital for burn victims. By Monday evening, rescuers continued to scour the debris, searching for bodies. A crane was being used to remove debris. Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, also pledged an investigation, and he expressed his deep sorrow over the 'heartbreaking accident.' He called it 'a moment of deep national grief.' Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed shock and sadness. 'Our hearts go out to the bereaved families,' Modi said in a post on X. 'India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.' Rafiqa Taha, a student who was not present at the time of the crash, said by phone that the school, with some 2,000 students, offers classes from elementary grades through high school. Story continues below advertisement 'I was terrified watching videos on TV,' the 16-year-old said. 'My God! It's my school.'
