Guarding relics against all odds

The series also highlights the meticulous work of restorers responsible for producing exact replicas of ancient paintings housed in the Palace Museum. Some replicas take nearly two years to complete, with artisans painstakingly reproducing every brushstroke and pigment.

"At first, I wondered why such immense effort was devoted to creating a copy," Ni says.

"Later, I realized that after 1,000 years, the original paintings would inevitably deteriorate. In that distant future, such replicas would become vital for preserving the artworks' legacy. That is why the copy must be perfect."

Zhou Jun, general director of the series, says: "Along our journeys, from the Palace Museum in Beijing to Leshan, Hong Kong, and Xiamen, we discovered that the guardianship of the museum extends far beyond its walls — it lies wherever its cultural legacy reaches and continues to evolve with the passage of time. It is the spirit of 'passing on the legacy, guarding through the century' that allows Chinese civilization to thrive with enduring vitality."

Contact the writer at wangru1@chinadaily.com.cn