A different way of retelling history, something worth adopting

Henan, a province in Central China’s Yellow River Valley, is widely recognized as the place where Chinese civilization originated. The bus I was on stopped outside the Qingming Shanghe Park in Kaifeng – which was the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty capital from the 10th to 12th centuries - after a one-and-a-half-hour ride from Zhengzhou – the capital of Henan province. There was an air of festivity, as people of all ages flocked there, many of them in traditional attire.

I entered the gates, and stepped straight into the days of the Song Dynasty; lofty pagodas, impressive temples, large bridges and vibrant gardens. Young women in traditional attire struck up different poses for the camera.

ސާއިލު ޗައިނާގައި:

ހެނާން ޕްރޮވިންސްގެ ކައިފޮންގައި ހުންނަ ޝިންމިން ޝެންހަން ޕާކު. މިއީ ސޯންގް ޑައިނަސްޓީގެ ވެރިކަމުގެ ދުވަސްވަރުގެ ކަންކަން ދައްކައިދޭ ތަނެއް. މި ތަނުން ތާރީޚީ ބައެއް ހާދިސާތައް މި ދައްކުވައިދެނީ ވަރަށް ޝައުގުވެރިކޮށް pic.twitter.com/EgnhUx3iVE

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) November 6, 2024

As I stood in wonder, our tour guide began explaining. The Qingming Shanghe Park is a cultural theme park based on painter Zhang Zeduan's realistic painting "Along the River at Qingming Festival" as the theme of the Song Dynasty culture, folk customs, royal gardens and ancient entertainment.

It was like traveling back in time.

Towering pagodas, each floor of which has its own curved and decorated roof; charming boats on the lake; food stalls that offer both traditional and modern Chinese cuisine; and fragrant flower plants.

The guide directed us towards the sound of music. As we made our way, we saw other people rushing towards that sound, some walking at a fast pace and some running.

We arrived at a large arena.

The performance began shortly after we took our seats. Men in armor carrying flags rode the length of the arena on horses. More began arriving on horse-drawn carriages. The two armies settled into formation and began their battle. A person narrates in Chinese as the battle unfolds before the eyes of hundreds of spectators.

After the performance, the guide directed us to another location; a modern building lit up with brilliant lights. There, we enjoyed theatrical performances retelling the time of the Song Dynasty.

It isn’t all historical structures at the Qingming Shanghe Park. It is designed to grab the interest of people of all ages, with game arcades and stalls for children and youngsters.

The park offers a happy environment where families, friends and lovers can learn about history with the aid of modern technology. Historical information is conveyed through art and theatrical performances - mediums that keep the interest of visitors.

It offers an immersive experience, and one that makes a lasting impression.

Henan Museum: A collection of 130,000 relics

Another highlight of my six-day tour of Henan province was the visit to Henan Museum; a history and archaeology museum with a collection of more than 130,000 pieces of cultural relics through the ages.

As I walked through the exhibition halls, I saw prehistoric cultural relics, bronze vessels of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, and pottery and porcelain wares of the various dynasties in Chinese.

The museum provides audio tours, magnified video-tape playing, computer consultation, and interactive facilities.

Traditional village life experience

Another interesting spot I visited during my tour was the Yangjiamen Village – carefully preserved to showcase ancient village life. Walking through the narrow roads lined with architecture from the Ming and Ching dynasties, I felt like I had stepped into a tranquil traditional village. I see people playing traditional music and showcase their craftmanship.

Surrounded by green hills, this tranquil village is a gem for nature lovers, history lovers, and photographers.

The village has cafes and rooms for rent. It also offers outdoor activities such as barbeques.

The Yangjiamen Village is perfect for people looking to get away from the hustle bustle of city like and experience ancient Chinese rural life.

ސާއިލު ޗައިނާގައި:

މިއީ ޗައިނާގެ ސިޓީތަކުގައި އުޅޭ މީހުންނަށް ވިލެޖުތަކުގެ ދިރިއުޅުން ދައްކުވައިދޭން ހަދާފައިވާ ވިލެޖެއް. މި ތަން ތައްޔާރުކޮށްފައިވަނީ ކުރީ ޒަމާނުގެ ވިލެޖްތަކުގެ ދިރިއުޅުން ދައްކުވައިދޭ ގޮތަށް. pic.twitter.com/Nv14lHYY8w

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) November 7, 2024

This is a great way to display culture and tradition.

Museums inside factories

I got the chance to visit several factories during my tour. This includes factories of BYD - the world's largest manufacturer of electric cars, and Yutong – mega manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Both these companies have new energy science museums - integrating automotive culture, design, and technology into one space.

These museums have photo and video exhibitions as well as product prototypes. It showcases the companies’ achievements and future plans.

During my visits to all these historical sites, I saw huge crowds of visitors, many of them Chinese. As for the Maldives, we usually see historical relics behind glass displays.

Things are vastly different in China. History and culture aren’t just shown from glass boxes. It is done through different and interesting mediums. Historical centers come with entertainment facilities – making for an immersive and enjoyable experience for people of all ages. This is a better way of retelling history.