Nanjing to Become a "City of Museums"

On January 14th, Yang Xinhua, vice-director general of Nanjing Cultural Relics Bureau introduced to the media that, during "the 12th 5-Year-Plan" period, Nanjing will target at 6 big programs of cultural relics protection; work on enhancement and expansion; build Nanjing into "a city of museums"; and promote a greater site protection concept.

Firstly, prominence will be given to the ancient capital structure with fourfold city walls of the Ming Dynasty. Secondly, the Purple Mountain scenic area will be connected with Xuawu Lake scenic area to become a central park. Thirdly, South city historical area, Former Ming Palace area and Gulou-Qingliang Hill area will be protected. Fourthly, 9 historical and cultural blocks and 22 regions with historical style will be protected. Fifthly, a hundred lanes with features will be renovated. Sixthly, 3000 cultural relic protection points will be protected and used rationally.

"Ten" is the key word for Nanjing's goal of becoming a "city of museums". The first "ten" refers to "Ten Times" Historical and Cultural Museum: East Wu (under construction), East Jin (being improved), the Southern Dynasties (included in the Hall of the Six Dynasties, under construction), South Tang (to be rebuilt), Ming Dynasty (rebuilt), the Heavenly Kingdom (completed), the Republic of China (to be rebuilt).

The second "ten" refers to 10 theme museums: The Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre (completed), Yunjin (yun brocade) Museum (to be expanded and upgraded), Buddhist Cultural Museum (under preparation), Nanjing Education History Museum (under preparation), Ming Dynasty City Wall Museum (being planned), Cross-river Victory Memorial (to be upgraded) Meiyuan New Village Memorial (to be expanded), Tangzijie Fresco Museum (under preparation), Nanjing Intangible Cultural Relics Museum (to be upgraded), Jiangning Textile Bureau Museum (to be improved).

Besides, museums with Nanjing features or industrial peculiarity will also be developed, such as "Historical Celebrity Memorial", "Natural and Scientific Technology Museum".

In terms of protecting sites of cultural relics, a greater site protection concept will be advocated. Greater sites need protection in Nanjing include: Qingliang Hill, Stone City Site, Ming Dynasty Outer City Wall site, Stone Inscription Site of the Southern Dynasties, Site of Two Tombs of the South Tang, Site of Tangshan Hill Ape Man, Gucheng Site, Xuecheng Site, Baoen Temple site and Former Ming Palace Site. During "the 12th 5-Year-Plan" period, Nanjing will gradually deliver planning, protection and construction of these sites. In near term, programs such as Dabaoen Temple, Former Ming Palace site, Xuecheng Site of Gaochun will be worked on and a Ming Dynasty Outer City Wall park will be built. At the same time, declaration for Ming City Wall as World Cultural Heritage and Ming Tomb as World Natural and Cultural Heritage will be delivered.