China's Heritage Day: How to harnesses tech to protect heritage

On its 9th Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, China is showcasing how advanced science and technology are boosting its efforts to safeguard a vast array of cultural and natural heritage, moving towards proactive, preventive protection.

Smart tech guards Grand Canal and ancient walls

In east China's Hangzhou, a smart canal platform is transforming the management of the Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This intelligent system consolidates oversight, using precise monitoring to track structural changes in historical elements like bridges.

Data from multiple government departments is integrated, boosting efficiency and collaborative response for this living heritage.

Similarly, the ancient city wall around west China's Xi'an is now protected by a digital smart cabin. Over 3,000 monitoring points feed real-time data to an AI system that provides 24/7 alerts on structural changes.

This platform also detects unusual behaviors of nearby people, improving early warnings and emergency response for this historic monument.

AI revitalizes traditional crafts and uncovers history

Even ancient crafts are getting a tech upgrade. In Nantong, the traditional art of tie-dyeing now uses an intelligent robot production line. This boosts efficiency dramatically while retaining unique artistry through human intervention, showcasing how robotics can revitalize intangible heritage.

Archaeology too is benefiting, with recent breakthroughs like the full restoration of a shattered millennium-old gold crown from west China's Qinghai. Specialists used patented techniques and advanced imaging to meticulously reconstruct its intricate details.

These examples underscore China's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology, not just to preserve its past, but to bring it to life for future generations.