#China #Hangzhou #Liangzhu #Heritage #Samarkand

Promoting Mutual Understanding: Dialogue Between Liangzhu and Samarkand

On July 6, 2026, a significant event took place that fostered cultural exchange between the archaeological ruins of Liangzhu City in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, and the historic city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan. This event aimed to promote mutual learning and enhance collaboration in the preservation of cultural heritage.

As part of the ongoing “Liangzhu and the World” program, this dialogue attracted over 100 participants from both China and Uzbekistan, who gathered at the Liangzhu archaeological site to discuss vital themes such as the value of cultural heritage, its preservation and management, and strategies for revitalizing these cultural icons.

The Liangzhu ruins, discovered in 1936 at the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. Similarly, Samarkand is recognized as a cultural crossroads along the historic Silk Road and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.

This dialogue not only served as a prominent platform for interaction between the two cities but also marked the inaugural collaboration of the “Liangzhu and the World” program with an Asian World Heritage site. The participants engaged in discussions focusing on revitalization efforts, shared insights on archaeological research, preservation of earthen structures, digital technologies, and the integration of culture with tourism. This lays out an Asian model for coordinated preservation of world heritage and cross-civilization dialogue.

Leading up to the dialogue, the Uzbek delegation visited the Liangzhu archaeological site and a World Heritage surveillance center. They were introduced to an integrated approach towards heritage preservation and public engagement through advanced technologies, including AI-supported smart glasses. Farhod Nishonov, Deputy Mayor of Samarkand, commended Liangzhu's systematic preservation model, remarking that it offers invaluable lessons for the management of their own city. He stated that Samarkand aims to adopt practices from Liangzhu and will leverage its city partnership with Hangzhou to foster joint exhibitions, cultural exchanges, and youth programs.

Yang Xiaoping, Deputy Director of the Liangzhu Archaeological Ruins Management Committee, expressed enthusiasm about the dialogue by stating, “It has been five years since we launched the ‘Liangzhu and the World’ program. Our hope is not only to share Liangzhu’s experiences in monument maintenance but also to learn from Central Asian cities concerning the administration and management of cultural heritage. The aim is to bring together the people of our two countries through these emblematic sites of civilization.”

The discussions paved the way for a stronger future relationship between the two sites, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in preserving and celebrating rich cultural histories. By bridging traditions and experiences, Liangzhu and Samarkand set a precedent for cultural dialogue that transcends geography and time, highlighting the shared human experience and the necessity of safeguarding our collective heritage for future generations.