Re-creating history in the 21st century

In the heart of Xi'an, northern Shaanxi province, there is a street with the theme "Twelve Hours of Chang'an", which brings to life the atmosphere of the Tang era and buzzes with visitors dressed in Tang-era attire, immersed in a meticulous re-creation of the dynasty's capital.

A 10-minute walk away, the Datang Everbright City, a bustling leisure and tourism district, thrums with energy. Tourists pack the space, immersing themselves in interactions with performers portraying famed Tang Dynasty (618-907) poets like Li Bai, joining in to recite their timeless verses.

These scenes are part of a travel craze that has emerged nationwide over the past few years and are expected to grow as China taps into its rich cultural heritage, according to tourism industry officials and professionals.

The Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development proposed further implementing the project for preserving and promoting China's fine traditional culture, advancing the systematic conservation and unified supervision of cultural heritage, and strengthening the effective protection and living inheritance of historic and cultural cities, districts, towns and villages.

Xi'an will be committed to the spirit of the recommendations by further promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Tang culture, enabling it to empower high-quality cultural and tourism growth, says Zuo Dong, deputy director of the city's culture and tourism bureau.

The city, designated in 1982 as one of China's first historic and cultural cities, is building a comprehensive database of Tang poetry resources and designing themed tourist routes that are linked with Tang poetry, Zuo says.

It aims to establish itself as the "capital of Tang poetry" within three years, integrating poetry into urban life and business, according to local authorities.

"Twelve Hours of Chang'an" is already planning its national expansion following this initiative.

"Our vision is to evolve into a nationally recognized benchmark for integrated cultural and tourism development," says Zou Linfeng, chairman of Shaanxi Cultural Tourism Co, the project's investor and operator.