Re-creating history in the 21st century

Over 1,600 kilometers away, in the ancient Jiaying town in Meijiang district, Meizhou city, southern Guangdong province, it is common to see a guitarist strumming melodies under an octagonal pavilion, singing Hakka ballads that tell centuries-old stories to a captivated night-time crowd.

As a national historical town and a key Hakka cultural preservation zone, the Jiaying ancient site has been revitalized by fostering its existing social and cultural fabric.

The "5 streets, 20 lanes" refurbishment project that was carried out a few years ago has enhanced public spaces while preserving the historical texture, creating a canvas for new life, according to Song Danshan, an official with the town's administration.

The strategy has focused on curating a blend of businesses that respect the past while appealing to the present.

"We aim to retain the 'old flavor' while introducing 'new fun' for younger generations," Song says.

Over 40 new shops, including cultural creative spaces, Hakka cuisine outlets and craft studios, have been introduced.

This environment has attracted a new wave of young entrepreneurs who act as cultural translators.

Chen Xuankun, the owner of a gallery, returned to Jiaying after 15 years in Shanghai's tourism industry.

His shop now sells cultural products like music boxes featuring Hakka motifs and provides self-guided tour maps.

"We want Hakka culture to be part of daily life through beautiful consumer goods," Chen says.

Other young entrepreneurs are also contributing.

Post-90s entrepreneur Ye Shuang has opened a cafe in a restored old house, creating a warm gathering space that blends seamlessly into the historical setting.

During this year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, Jiaying accounted for 24.4 percent of all visitor traffic to 51 major local scenic spots in Meijiang district.

The town will continue to focus on deepening the "living inheritance" of its heritage based on the ongoing urban renewal project, according to local officials.

The core principles will revolve around preserving its distinctive character, nurturing new business formats, and transmitting its cultural legacy, which they consider to be in line with the 15th Five-Year Plan's call for "effective protection" and "living inheritance".

The future focus will be on further enriching tourism offerings and optimizing cultural experiences, aiming to shift the ancient town's tourism appeal from high visitor flow to sustained visitor stays.