By Siti Fauziah Hasan
JINJIANG (China), Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Beyond its old houses featuring traditional Minnan architecture, Wudianshi Traditional Blocks offers a glimpse of how heritage can be given new life, preserving the past while making it relevant and appealing to younger generations.
Wudianshi Traditional Blocks is a historic cultural district located in Jinjiang, a city in Fujian province in southeast China.
To give young people new reasons to experience the historic neighbourhood, the heritage zone merges intangible cultural performances with modern lifestyle events such as coffee and bakery festivals and e-sports competitions.
According to a Wudianshi Traditional Blocks spokesperson, the approach has been well received, with visitor numbers reaching between 50,000 and 60,000 a day during public holidays.
“As you can see, on one hand, there are the ancient houses to learn about Minnan architecture and culture.
“On the other hand, during holidays or regular weekends, we hold many intangible cultural heritage performances or events combined with coffee festivals, bakery festivals and e-sports tournaments like the National Electronic Sports Tournament that young people might be more interested in, all hosted within the block. These are all ways to attract young people,” she told ASEAN journalists who visited Jinjiang recently.
Twenty-one journalists from nine countries, including Malaysia, took part in the two-week ASEAN media programme in China that began on Sept 15. The programme covered visits to Nanning, Fujian and Beijing, and also provided the media with an opportunity to gain first-hand insights into China’s approach to preserving its cultural heritage while finding new ways to make historic sites relevant and appealing to younger generations
The spokesperson said nearly one billion yuan has been invested in the development of Wudianshi Traditional Blocks, which was not solely driven by commercial returns but also focused on social benefits and cultural dissemination.
The old houses in the district are not merely preserved as historical structures; they also serve as spaces for the younger generation to learn about Minnan culture and architecture, while contemporary activities help create a more appealing atmosphere for them.
The district is open to the public and entrance is free.
Often described as a ‘living museum of architecture’, Wudianshi comprises more than 130 historic buildings preserving over 500 years of history.
Its red brick walls and swallowtail roof ridges are among the distinctive features of Minnan architecture, while the ancestral halls and villas reflect the history of migration and cultural exchange that shaped the local community.
Some villas also feature Southeast Asian and European influences blended with local architectural styles, reflecting the area’s historical links with overseas Chinese communities.
-- BERNAMA