Under the scorching sun in north China, 17 dedicated heritage volunteers came together to restore ancient buildings. Working closely with expert craftsmen, these cultural preservation volunteers focused on saving a historic residence in Shanxi Province’s Pingyao County. This hands-on work by the heritage team helps ensure that this cultural legacy will endure for years to come.
Starting in early August, the Shanghai Ruan Yisan Heritage Foundation partnered with Pingyao County to host a special volunteer camp. The main goal of this camp was architectural heritage conservation in Dongquan Village, a traditional settlement in northern China. Over two weeks, the China heritage volunteers carefully repaired the gatehouse and nearby walls under the guidance of master craftsmen, directly contributing to preserving local culture.
Besides restoration work, the cultural preservation volunteers explored the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pingyao Ancient City. Additionally, they visited well-known landmarks like Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple. Beyond sightseeing, the volunteers met guardians of local intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional puppet performers and expert artisans of Pingyao’s lacquerware. These experiences deepened their dedication to actively safeguarding China heritage.
Among the 17 China heritage volunteers, six came from France. Leading this group was 26-year-old model Aurore Franche, who expressed deep admiration for traditional Chinese architecture. She praised the mortise and tenon technique, which joins wood without nails or glue. According to her, this method reflects the wisdom of ancient builders and highlights the importance of preserving China heritage. The efforts of these China heritage volunteers embody this preservation spirit.
Similarly, Sara Zuniga, a university student from Mexico, joined the program out of passion for history. She shared how Mexico’s historical sites have suffered damage due to modern development. This experience strengthened her motivation to protect cultural legacies worldwide. For her, China offered a unique and captivating example of dedication to preserving China heritage, which inspired the China heritage volunteers to work harder.
Meanwhile, Herwann Rocrou from France, an archaeology student and Sinology fan, also took part in the program. Fluent in Chinese, he has traveled to many cities and studied ancient cultures such as Yangshao and Shang. Additionally, he joined to expand his understanding of Chinese architectural restoration and to support efforts in preserving China heritage. Rocrou and the other cultural preservation volunteers share a deep passion for this work. He even hopes to live in China one day with his girlfriend.
Throughout the camp, the China heritage volunteers teamed up with skilled masons in Dongquan Village, a nationally recognized heritage site. Additionally, they explored ancient relics in Liangcun Village and enjoyed nighttime visits to Pingyao, one of China’s best-preserved and still inhabited ancient walled cities. All these experiences deepened their understanding of the vital work involved in preserving China heritage, motivating the China heritage volunteers even more.
Ding Feng, secretary general of the Ruan Yisan Heritage Foundation, noted that the foundation has organized 48 volunteer camps across several provinces since 2010. Shanxi Province hosts over half of these camps because of its rich collection of historic buildings. Over the past 15 years, nearly 1,000 China heritage volunteers have taken part, all contributing significantly to preserving China heritage.
Furthermore, Ding explained the foundation’s main goal: “We want young people to connect physically with heritage. By working with their hands, they build emotional ties, which fuel enthusiasm and awareness for preserving China heritage.” This mission inspires all China heritage volunteers to keep going.
Ultimately, this project shows how international cooperation can help protect China’s history. Through shared effort and teamwork, China heritage volunteers play a vital role in preserving China heritage.
In summary, China heritage volunteers from around the world work side by side to restore and protect ancient buildings. Their passion and collaboration highlight the vital importance of preserving China heritage for future generations.
