The Concept and Practice of Cultural Heritage in China

Abstract

This paper discusses how the Chinese understanding and treatment of the past has changed over time, depicting the development from imperial times to Mao-era China. In doing so, the chapter pays particular attention to the cultural history of "heritage" over the last century. It finds that Chinese treatment of the past has been and continues to be characterised by cycles of destruction and creation in which new dynasties or governments use the past to legitimize their rules. Moreover, members of Chinese society have gone through cycles of antiquarianism - attempts of conserving and collecting the past - to foster a sense of identity during times of uncertainty. Today’s "heritage fever" in China can be seen as a part of this tradition. However, it differs due to the appropriation of UNESCO values and best practices, which has re-defined heritage as a public good, and "national heritage."