How Charming is Ancient Beijing? Let Us See from Words of Influencers from Silk Road Countries!

How did people announce the correct time in ancient China? What are the vivid stories behind intangible cultural heritages? What are the costumes and singing style of the Peking Opera? On August 22, the influencers from Silk Road countries found their own answers in the 2023 "Silk Road Rediscovery Tour of Beijing: Decade's Milestones in Chinese Path to Modernization" event.

Visitors watch a show to learn the history of the Bell and Drum Towers in Beijing. [Photo by Zhao Yinping]

The Bell and Drum Towers undertook the mission of time-telling in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. The influencers from Silk Road countries were fascinated by a great variety of ancient timing tools that have practical functions without compromising the beauty of design. Senad Hergic, Editor-in-Chief of Okto TV Station of Austria, recognized the "creativity of Chinese people" while Ioan Budura (Luo Yang in Chinese), former Editor-in-Chief of the Department of Culture, Radio Romania and famous sinologist, saw how Chinese people value time by "building a friendly bond with it".

The influencers from Silk Road countries take a group photo at China National Arts and Crafts Museum (China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum). [Photo by Li Xiaogang]

China National Arts and Crafts Museum (China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum) displays a great variety of intangible cultural heritage artworks from the Neolithic Age to the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as arts and crafts created after the founding of PRC. Violeta Derkovic, Director-General of Svilara Cultural Station in Novi Sad, said: "The exhibits are priceless. They are the wealth of both the Chinese people and the entire mankind".

Kong Sereyrath, Chief of Bureau of AKP of Ministry of Information of the Kingdom of Cambodia (right) takes a photo with the performer at the backstage of Jixiang Theater. [Photo by Song Shujun]

Founded in 1906, Jixiang Theater is a famous theater with over 100 years of history in Beijing. The influencers from Silk Road countries learned about the "Four Famous Dan Actors in Peking Opera", and had a close look at the performers' facial makeup. They also tried the gorgeous opera costumes and made elegant movements with long sleeves guided by the instructor. Everyone had a great feast of Peking Opera.