Project Background
The Grand Canal is a great engineering project created in ancient China. It is a living and flowing spiritual homeland of the Chinese nation, a Chinese cultural symbol with wide global influence, and an important World Cultural Heritage site.
The Beijing section of the Grand Canal runs through thousands of years of history and across seven districts. It has played an important role in the development of the capital, witnessed the dramatic changes of the city over time, left behind rich historical remains, and carries precious cultural memory.
In 2023, to deepen public understanding of the historical culture of the Grand Canal (Beijing section) and the cultural resources along its route, to continue the historical lineage of the Grand Canal, and to further lay the foundation for its living protection and utilization, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre for the Asia-Pacific Region (Beijing) (WHITRAP-Beijing), the Center for Public Archaeology and Art of Peking University, and Beijing Weiming Museum Cultural Technology Co., Ltd. jointly launched the Grand Canal (Beijing Section) Cultural Map Co-drawing Plan, planning to recruit a group of volunteers to conduct cultural surveys along the Grand Canal within Beijing, organize cultural resources along the canal, and draw a complete cultural map of the Beijing section of the Grand Canal.
Group photo of the Grand Canal (Beijing Section) Heritage Public Monitoring Team
Project Progress
On August 10, 2023, the “Grand Canal (Beijing Section) Cultural Map Co-drawing Plan” was officially launched.
Over the past year, a total of 115 volunteers and 11 instructors participated in the co-drawing plan. They conducted field investigations across the 7 administrative districts through which the Grand Canal (Beijing section) passes. The research was carried out under six thematic categories: tangible cultural heritage, intangible cultural heritage, public cultural spaces, culturally distinctive consumption spaces, cultural organizations, and cultural figures. A total of 402 cultural resource data entries were collected, and 24 cultural short videos of the Grand Canal were produced and released. A preliminary outline of the overall cultural landscape along the Beijing section of the Grand Canal has been formed.
Volunteer fieldwork at Tonghui River Tongzhou section
In spring 2024, the cultural map drawing work officially began. The cultural resource elements from the previous investigation and organization will be mapped across the entire Beijing section of the Grand Canal, ultimately forming 5–6 sectional maps and one complete cultural long scroll of the Beijing section of the Grand Canal.
Distribution of cultural resource elements of the Grand Canal (Beijing section)
The drawing of the cultural map requires steps including integration and screening of survey data, verification of historical and geographical information, hand-drawn conversion of cultural resource elements, map layout design, drawing and rendering, etc. During the creation of the first map, the designer went through multiple rounds of refinement regarding the visual style of cultural elements. Map scale, architectural icon proportions, selection of map elements, legend design, and other aspects were repeatedly discussed and revised by the co-drawing team. Ultimately, the first cultural map was completed: “Eastern and Western Districts Section of the Beijing Grand Canal”.
Partial view of the cultural map of the Eastern and Western Districts of the Beijing section of the Grand Canal
In July 2024, the cultural map will enter a centralized drawing phase. Students from universities in Beijing who are committed to the protection and utilization of the Grand Canal are welcome to join the co-drawing plan and jointly create the cultural landscape of the Beijing section of the Grand Canal.
Recruitment Information
Target Applicants:
Undergraduate and graduate students currently studying in universities in Beijing
Requirements:
1.Proficiency in digital drawing skills; background in art or design is preferred; familiarity with AI, Photoshop, Figma, or other graphic design software
2.Ability to complete drawing tasks during the activity period and undertake reasonable revisions and adjustments
Specific Responsibilities:
1.Based on preliminary research results and collected materials of the project, design the structural framework of the cultural map, ensuring completeness of elements and highlighting key points
2.Based on the design framework and early materials, complete the drawing of the cultural map, collaborate with designers, and maintain a unified visual style and aesthetic consistency
Application Method:
1.Click “Read the original text” to download the “Grand Canal Cultural Map Volunteer Application Form.” After completing it, send the form and your personal digital drawing works via email to: whitrapbj@126.com. Email subject: “Grand Canal + Volunteer + Name”
2.After selection, we will add applicants on WeChat and send detailed instructions and notes regarding the activity. Please pay attention and accept the friend request. Welcome to apply!
3.Application deadline: June 30, 2024
Activity Schedule:
Mid-June – End of June: Volunteer recruitment
Early July: Preliminary data verification and selection of mapping elements
Mid-July: Design and drawing of map elements and icons
Late July: Group-based drawing of 5 regional map sections
Early August: Completion of cultural long scroll map of the Beijing section of the Grand Canal
Mid–late August: Result release
Activity Benefits:
1.Participate in cultural map workshops and communicate face-to-face with scholars and experts on Grand Canal culture
2.Research team can share all collected research data
3.Receive official attribution as a member of the Grand Canal (Beijing Section) Cultural Map Co-drawing Plan and obtain a certification issued by WHITRAP Beijing
Project Support:
This activity is jointly initiated and organized by WHITRAP Beijing, the Center for Public Archaeology and Art of Peking University, and Beijing Weiming Museum Cultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Editors:
Zhu Xichen, Piao Lina
Reviewers:
Li Guanghan, Wang Siyu
Final Review:
Shen Ruiwen, Zhang Jianwei
