China's UNESCO milestone marks more than just a number. With the addition of the Xixia Imperial Tombs to the World Heritage List, the total hits 60—solidifying the country's position as a global leader in cultural preservation.
The Xixia Imperial Tombs (11th-13th century) stand out as a testament to Silk Road exchanges. These mausoleums fuse Tang and Song dynasty tomb architecture with Buddhist art and unique Tangut traditions, reflecting the Xixia Dynasty's role as a cultural bridge between East and West.
Since joining the World Heritage Convention in 1985, China has built one of the world's most comprehensive heritage protection systems. In 1987, landmarks like the Great Wall, the Ming and Qing Imperial Palaces, the Terracotta Army and the Mogao Grottoes became the country's first UNESCO sites.
In 2006, China launched Cultural Heritage Day—which later evolved into Cultural and Natural Heritage Day—to boost public engagement. This year's theme was revitalizing cultural heritage to showcase new brilliance, inspiring over 7,000 online and offline activities nationwide.
The legal backbone of this effort is the 1982 Law of Cultural Relics Protection, strengthened by six administrative regulations, ten departmental rules and more than 400 local legislations. In the first five months of 2025, authorities filed 2,160 public interest litigation cases to defend cultural relics and heritage sites.
Financial commitment has played a crucial role: in 2024 alone, China's Ministry of Finance allocated 6.38 billion yuan (about $880 million) to the National Cultural Relics Protection Funds. These funds have fueled restorations and upgraded preservation infrastructure across the country.
From the Xixia tombs to world-renowned monuments, China's blend of ancient wisdom and modern governance offers a compelling model for heritage conservation—showing how a civilization can honor its past while embracing the future.
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From Xixia to world: Chinese wisdom behind 60 UNESCO heritage sites
cgtn.com
