On October 30, 2022, the UNESCO World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and Pacific Region (WHITRAP Beijing) successfully held the launch ceremony for the Public Participation Program for Grand Canal (Beijing Section) Heritage Monitoring.
Participants included Bi Jianyu, Director of the Heritage Management Division of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau; Gao Xiaolong, researcher at the Capital Museum, renowned curator, and cultural scholar; Zhang Tao, Director of the Preventive Heritage Conservation Department at the Beijing Archaeological Research Institute; Lu Hao, lecturer in the Department of Archaeology and Museology at Beijing Normal University; Liu Baoshan, international member of ICOMOS and Director of the Weiming Cultural Heritage Research Center; Zhang Jianwei, Executive Deputy Director of WHITRAP Beijing; and Li Guanghan, Assistant Director of WHITRAP Beijing.
Launch Ceremony Poster
To promote public participation in World Cultural Heritage monitoring and support preventive conservation and research efforts, WHITRAP Beijing and Beijing Weiming Cultural Heritage Technology Co., Ltd. jointly initiated the Public Participation Program for Grand Canal (Beijing Section) Heritage Monitoring.
The project received more than 100 valid applications. Ultimately, 16 volunteers were selected for the Old City section and 13 volunteers for the Tongzhou section, totaling 29 participants. Except for two volunteers unable to attend due to pandemic-related reasons, all selected volunteers participated in the launch ceremony.
The event was held at Zhizaoju, a cultural venue located in the Longfu Temple Historic District in Beijing. The ceremony was hosted by Park Lina, Project Specialist at WHITRAP Beijing.
Group Photo at the Launch Ceremony
1. Opening Remarks
WHITRAP Beijing Assistant Director Li Guanghan delivered the welcome speech. She introduced the Beijing Centre and emphasized that heritage conservation should be an open and interdisciplinary platform. She welcomed volunteers from different academic disciplines and backgrounds to participate in heritage conservation activities.
Li Guanghan Delivering the Welcome Speech
Gao Xiaolong, researcher at the Capital Museum, highly praised the significance of the public participation initiative. He shared that he grew up near the canal and has a deep personal connection to it, expressing enthusiasm about joining the volunteer effort.
Gao Xiaolong Speaking at the Event
Zhang Tao from the Beijing Archaeological Research Institute shared his many years of practical experience in heritage conservation and monitoring. From a professional perspective, he offered valuable guidance for the implementation of the project.
Zhang Tao Delivering Remarks
Bi Jianyu, Director of the Heritage Management Division of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, expressed strong support for the Grand Canal heritage monitoring initiative and congratulated the successful launch of the program.
In his speech, he pointed out that public participation in heritage monitoring serves as a valuable supplement to the protection of the Grand Canal (Beijing Section), a World Heritage site. The Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau places great importance on the conservation and utilization of the Grand Canal and hopes that public heritage activities will continue in the future, complementing official heritage monitoring and management efforts.
Bi Jianyu Delivering Remarks
Zhang Jianwei, Executive Deputy Director of WHITRAP Beijing, shared his experience researching the Baifu Spring section of the Grand Canal. He emphasized that only by visiting heritage sites in person can people establish genuine emotional connections with heritage.
Zhang Jianwei Officially Announcing the Launch of the Public Participation Program for Grand Canal (Beijing Section) Heritage Monitoring
2. Volunteer Introductions
During the volunteer introduction and exchange session, each participant shared their background, educational or professional experience, and motivation for joining the project.
The volunteers included students from heritage-related academic programs, residents who grew up near the Tonghui River, professionals and enthusiasts dedicated to heritage conservation, and new Beijing residents who had grown up near canal cities such as Hangzhou and Zhenjiang. Each volunteer introduced their own personal connection to the Grand Canal.
Participants ranged in age from 16 to 65 years old. United by the Grand Canal as a shared bond, the atmosphere at the event was lively and enthusiastic.
Volunteer Introduction Session
3. Public Lectures
During the subsequent public lecture session, WHITRAP Beijing interns Li Chaoying and Qian Meili gave presentations on the history and culture of the Grand Canal and on the relationship between the Grand Canal and World Heritage.
Zhang Jianshuo, Senior Engineer and Director of the Planning and Consulting Department at Weiming Cultural Heritage, introduced the concepts behind Grand Canal monitoring and demonstrated specific methods for public participation in heritage inspection activities.
Li Chaoying Introducing the History and Culture of the Grand Canal
Qian Meili Introducing the Grand Canal and World Heritage
Zhang Jianshuo Introducing Grand Canal Monitoring Methods
4. Field Inspection
That afternoon, volunteers assigned to the Old City section conducted on-site heritage monitoring and inspection activities under staff guidance, beginning from Wanning Bridge at Shichahai and the Guo Shoujing Statue at Jishuitan.
After the inspection activities concluded, the volunteers remained highly engaged and spontaneously collected and shared large amounts of reference materials for further reading. While participating in public heritage monitoring, they also deepened their understanding of the World Heritage Grand Canal and Beijing’s historical and cultural heritage.
Grand Canal Heritage Monitoring Volunteers Conducting Field Inspections
Special Thanks
Project Guidance
Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau
Project Support
Beijing Archaeological Research Institute (Beijing Institute of Cultural Heritage)
Technical Support
Beijing Weiming Cultural Heritage Technology Co., Ltd.
Venue Support
Zhizaoju
Group Photo of Event Staff
