Nestled within a village community in Gaoping city, North China's Shanxi province, the Tiefo Temple has long kept its exquisite 500-year-old painted sculptures hidden from the public eye. It wasn't until August 2023 that its 72-square-meter main hall was finally opened to visitors.
Wukong, which brought the ancient architecture that inspired 36 scenes in the game into the spotlight. The Tiefo Temple is one of them.
Since its opening, an unprecedented number of tourists have flocked to Gaoping. During holidays and weekends, visitor flow at the temple reaches its daily cap of 3,000 people. On regular days, there are still 400 to 500 travelers, according to Shen Fei, secretary of the leading Party members group for Gaoping's culture and tourism bureau.
Visitors need to book online in advance and queue for a chance to glimpse the fragile sculptures from a safe distance. Sometimes, they wait in line for hours just to observe the sculptures for a few minutes.
Yet, Shen said, no negative feedback has been received from visitors. "They understand that the safety of the artifacts is the priority. The painted sculptures are so overwhelming that they don't mind waiting."
In recent years, China's cultural tourism boom has driven heritage preservation organizations to continuously reflect on the balance between protection and utilization. Just like the Tiefo Temple, wider public access to cultural heritage sites and museums has been taken into consideration.
During this year's two sessions, the annual gatherings of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Hang Kan, a deputy to the 14th NPC and director of the Yungang Research Institute, which is in charge of the protection, research and administration of the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, Shanxi, suggested the implementation of a classification and evaluation system of cultural heritage sites.
10 Comments
Rotfront
While I'm happy for the Gaoping community, the influx of tourism could potentially disrupt the local way of life and environment. How are they addressing these potential issues?
Karamba
It's commendable that China is prioritizing heritage preservation, but the article only mentions one specific case. We need more information on how this approach will be applied to other cultural sites nationwide.
Matzomaster
This article focuses heavily on the economic benefits of opening the temple, but barely mentions the cultural and educational aspects. Shouldn't these be prioritized over profit?
Katchuka
This is exciting news! It's fantastic that the Tiefo Temple and its beautiful sculptures are finally open to the public after centuries of being hidden away.
Rotfront
I understand the concerns about visitor limitations, but prioritizing the safety of the sculptures is critical. It's better to wait a bit longer than risk damaging these irreplaceable pieces of history.
Noir Black
The online booking system helps manage visitor flow and prevents overcrowding, ensuring a better experience for everyone. Waiting in line is part of the journey and adds to the anticipation.
Loubianka
The article mentions the influence of the "Wukong" game on people's interest in the Tiefo Temple. It's concerning how pop culture trends can drive tourism without proper educational context for the cultural significance of the site.
Eugene Alta
It's great that the temple is open, but restricting access to only 3,000 visitors per day seems exclusive. Shouldn't everyone have the chance to experience this cultural treasure?
BuggaBoom
It's encouraging that the temple staff are responsive to visitor feedback. Their dedication to ensuring a positive experience for everyone is commendable.
KittyKat
Opening the temple to the public is wonderful, but the cultural tourism boom is putting pressure on these historical sites. We need to find a sustainable balance between accessibility and protection for future generations to enjoy.