Tracing genes of Chinese civilization in traditional villages

The online promotional event "Walking in Traditional Villages, Exploring the Gene of Chinese Civilization", organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Office of Cyberspace Affairs Commission, kicked off on October 16.

The team visited Ganbei Village in Pucheng County, the Former Residence Memorial Hall of Yang Hucheng (1893–1949) — a patriotic Kuomintang general who masterminded the Xi'an Incident, and Yaotou Kiln Cultural Tourism Eco-park in Chengcheng county. Their journey through these traditional villages  intertwined  historical legacies with the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, uncovering the cultural roots of the Guanzhong region, the central part of Shaanxi province.

The event's first stop was Ganbei village, where the team experienced the blend of traditional village charm and modern governance, and felt the authentic rural life and rich historical heritage.

At the Former Residence Memorial Hall of Yang Hucheng, the interview team retraced the revolutionary journey of the patriotic general through valuable relics, photos, and recreated scenes. They gained a deeper understanding of his spirit of patriotism, devotion to the people, and unwavering integrity, making red culture a powerful spiritual highlight of their visit to the traditional village.

The interview team's second stop was the Yaotou Kiln Cultural Tourism Eco-Park, renowned as a "living fossil of China’s early ceramics".

Following the principle of "protection first, rational use", the village invested 33.5 million yuan ($4.7 million) in a preservation and restoration project that blended the ancient village landscape with modern use. The project restored 33 historical buildings, including the Zhou Ancestral Hall and traditional dwellings, and fully preserved over 40 ancient kiln sites dating from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to the Republic of China era (1911-49), creating a strong cultural foundation for the inheritance of intangible heritage.

The story of Liu Zhongyang, a representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage "Firing Skills of Chengcheng Yaotou Porcelain", has become a central highlight in the active preservation of Yaotou ceramics.

Hailing from a family of potters, Liu Zhongyang has mastered the three main kiln techniques — black kiln, bowl kiln, and urn kiln. Since starting his sole proprietorship in the old kiln field in 1988 and later founding Runchangde Porcelain Industry in 2014, he has been dedicated to preserving and innovating these skills with a heartfelt commitment to safeguarding the art.

Today, Yaotou ceramics continue to evolve while preserving their heritage. Liu Zhongyang leads a family-and-apprentice team of over 20 people, securing national geographical indication protection for black porcelain and showcasing their work at international exhibitions in Italy and Japan.

The team has also blended modern aesthetics into their craft, launching the "instant success" decorations and IP co-branded jewelry featuring Nezha and Bing Dwen Dwen, mascot of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. In 2024, their new creations — the "Cup Series of the Twelve Zodiac" and the "Black-Glazed Peony Bottle with Carved Flowers and Entanglement" — earned provincial and municipal awards once again.

This event links Pucheng's red heritage with Chengcheng's vibrant intangible cultural heritage, highlighting both the historical richness of traditional villages and the living warmth of cultural inheritance.

Looking ahead, the two counties will further explore their cultural resources, using the red spirit and centuries-old craftsmanship as a driving force to revitalize traditional villages and ensure the sustainable development of China's cultural legacy.