China Brings Archaeological Sites Closer to the Public

Dragon Media News Desk

China is working to make its historical and archaeological sites more accessible to the public while protecting them. At the Dahecun National Archaeological Site Park in Henan Province, central China, a museum presents the history of a Neolithic settlement dating back about 7,000 years and the Yangshao Culture.

Covering about 160 hectares, the park’s museum is largely underground and displays more than 1,500 cultural relics. The surrounding protected area contains the remains of a Yangshao-period settlement. China has 150 major archaeological sites, 65 of which have been developed as national archaeological site parks.

In Luoyang, also in Henan, archaeological sites are being integrated into the modern city while being protected. Officials said a requirement to conduct archaeological excavations before construction has helped preserve the remains of ancient settlements and former capitals.

Visitor numbers at the parks are rising. National archaeological site parks received 20.97 million visits in 2021 and 97.74 million in 2025. They recorded a combined total of 303 million visits over the five-year period.

China is also linking heritage preservation with local development. In Zhejiang Province, the operating income of village collectives in 14 villages participating in a rural development programme based on Liangzhu Culture rose by 19 percent in 2025 compared with the previous year. China’s 2026–2030 national cultural heritage plan prioritises the systematic protection and use of such sites.