Internship shines a light on efforts to protect Beijing's heritage
In May, Leadership Network member Miranda Williamson travelled to China for a month-long internship with the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center. During her time in Beijing, she supported efforts to preserve the city's historic hutongs and courtyard homes, while also exploring its vibrant museum scene. Miranda was supported to undertake the internship with a travel grant from the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
Miranda and Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center heritage expert Matthew Hu
The Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (BCHPC) is a small, grass-roots NGO with big ambitions. Their office is located down a meandering backstreet known as Yanyue Hutong in the suburb of Dongcheng, just a stone’s throw from the Palace Museum.
This is the base of a small but highly qualified and determined group of Chinese heritage professionals, ably led by heritage expert Matthew Hu.
They are working hard to identify, protect and promote China’s unique cultural heritage. In particular, they have worked towards advocating for and protecting the hutongs and siheyuan – courtyard homes - of Beijing.
Beijing Hutongs
My contribution to their work focussed on researching and identifying environmental challenges and ‘green’ initiatives that UNESCO world heritage sites are undertaking around the world and assessing their success.
This desk-based research was an interesting insight into UNESCO and its work around the globe. From Tasmania to Machu Picchu, I delved to learn about their unique and shared challenges.
There were common threads of the challenges of managing large tourist numbers in sometimes fragile locations.
A highlight of the experience was joining the BCHP team to head back of house at the Palace Museum – also known as the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City, Beijing
Despite dismal weather, it was a fascinating, if wet, insight into the inner workings of this sprawling and iconic museum.
I sat in as professionals gathered to discuss green initiatives and cultural products and how to work collaboratively to achieve common goals.
With the encouragement of my colleagues, I took the opportunity to catch the bullet train to visit a particularly special UNESCO site – Pingyao City.
In the very early hours, I braved the subway to make my way to Beijing North Railway Station.
Just after dawn it was a bustling place, travellers jostling for the best seats and taking the opportunity to slurp instant noodles as they awaited their trains, which fanned out in all directions from Beijing.
The train was comfort itself, spacious and modern, gliding silently along and an interesting chance to chat with travellers about their professions and reasons for travel.
Four hours later, we arrived at Pingyao. This Ming/Qing Dynasty-era walled city is a glimpse into China’s ancient built heritage.
Images from Pingyao
It was a fabulous place to meander. I met a friendly local who invited me into his courtyard home and poured over my map of the city.
He created for me an itinerary of the best sights of the city, and in suggested order. This was very helpful and allowed me to see some sights off the well-beaten track. One of which was a peaceful and entirely empty Taoist Temple.
Back in Beijing I made time to visit several more museums and exhibitions; I was spoilt for choice.
Most impressive was the National Museum of China which had a fascinating exhibition about the nation’s space programme.
Gansu Silk Road Art Treasures Exhibition' at the National Art Museum of China
The online booking system ensured that the number of visitors remained a comfortable size.
The National Art Museum of China also impressed with an exhibition about Silk Road art. Smaller museums were also interesting – the Museum of Lu Xun and a small museum about the history of Beijing’s hutongs were a treat.
I have returned to New Zealand feeling invigorated with new insight into the heritage field in which I work and inspired by the people who are fighting so passionately for the protection of their heritage.
It struck me that heritage professionals are sharing the same problems, and that there is much that we can learn from each other about in our approaches going forward.
The Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network equips the next generation of Kiwi leaders to thrive in Asia. We provide members with the connections, knowledge and confidence to lead New Zealand’s future relationship with the region.
