Hunan excavations help build a resilient, sustainable future

Visitors can also enjoy drinks in a specified area and buy cultural and creative products in the museum, says Yang.

Local people help in the operations of the park because it offers positions for them, and they can run small businesses within the park area.

"Now, the Gaomiao archaeological site park is transforming the site from an archaeological site into a cultural landmark," says Xiang Xinlin, deputy director of the center.

Hongjiang boasts rich farming cultural resources. Besides the Gaomiao site, it also has the Anjiang Agricultural School on the other bank of the river where late Chinese scientist Yuan Longping worked for 37 years during which he developed the first hybrid rice strains.

"On the two banks of the Yuanjiang River, the ancient Gaomiao site and modern agricultural creations shine brightly together," said Shan Jixiang, former director of the Palace Museum in Beijing, at a seminar discussing the protection of Gaomiao site in 2023. "This symbolizes an important inheritance of Chinese farming civilization."

Hongjiang is building its tourism characterized by farming culture, establishing a series of cultural and tourist projects covering all the related sites, and linking them in travel routes.

"Gaomiao is increasingly becoming a cultural and tourist complex combining scientific research, museum display, knowledge popularization and relaxation. A unique cultural landmark to seek origins of Chinese civilization, it drives the development of local culture and economy," says Xiang.