YINCHUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua/APP): This October has been remarkably busy for archaeologist Ren Xiufen, as the Xixia Imperial Tombs welcomed their first surge of holiday visitors after being inscribed on the World Heritage List in July. Despite the long work hours, her heart remains full of joy and fulfillment.
“Seeing more people come to know the Xixia Imperial Tombs and hearing their positive feedback brings a very real sense of accomplishment,” she said.
Located at the foot of Helan Mountain in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the tombs were built by the Tangut, an ethnic group that thrived in northwest China between the 11th and 13th centuries.
The Xixia Imperial Tombs are the largest, most well-preserved and highest-ranking archaeological remains of the Xixia Dynasty (1038-1227).
Since the World Heritage inscription, visitor numbers have increased by about 60 percent, with daily attendance exceeding 10,000 on the busiest days during the National Day and Mid-Autumn holidays. The site has introduced over 800 cultural products and cutting-edge digital tools, including VR and XR, providing immersive experiences that “awaken” heritage and make its cultural value more accessible to the public.
“As a resident of Yinchuan, I feel truly excited and proud that the Xixia Imperial Tombs have become a World Heritage site right in our hometown. We will cherish and protect it,” said a visitor surnamed Wang.
This attention goes beyond just numbers. Ren has noticed a shift in visitors’ feedback as well. In the past, most comments centered around services, but now everyday visitors are providing professional suggestions. They are offering insights on everything from how to enhance museum displays to better utilizing exhibition spaces.
“Public participation is essential,” Ren said, adding that protecting the surroundings and landscape of the site’s buffer zone is a major part of their work, and they now receive strong support from volunteers and local residents passionate about heritage preservation.
The Xixia Imperial Tombs, designated as a national education base for primary and secondary school students, now offer more than 30 specialized courses to attract more young visitors to explore the ancient site.
This surge of interest in the Xixia Imperial Tombs mirrors a broader nationwide trend. Museums across the country received nearly 86.3 million visitors during the 8-day National Day and Mid-Autumn holiday, an increase of 11.42 million compared with the National Day holiday in 2024. A total of 5.39 million people visited 65 national archaeological parks during the same period, according to data released earlier this month by the National Cultural Heritage Administration.
In recent years, documentaries and television programs on cultural relics have sparked widespread discussion and gained strong popularity among young audiences. Public perceptions of archaeology are gradually changing, and more students are choosing to pursue degrees in archaeology and museology.
“Many of our generation entered the field of archaeology more or less passively, before truly understanding it. But now the social foundation of archaeology in China has changed dramatically,” said Li Yingfu, a professor at the School of Archaeology and Museology at Sichuan University.
Li explained that on the one hand, as one of the world’s four great ancient civilizations, China possesses extraordinarily rich archaeological resources. On the other hand, with economic growth and higher living standards, Chinese people now have a stronger desire to explore their own culture and history.
Jing Lijun, a Ph.D. student from Ningxia University and a history enthusiast born in the 1990s, frequently spends his vacations exploring historical sites. He has conducted multiple field trips to places such as Dunhuang and the Xixia Imperial Tombs.
“Once you step into a heritage site and see it with your own eyes, you realize what the books really mean and help you better understand local history,” he said.