From Liangzhu, China, they propose a "Cultural Dialogue" with Stonehenge in the United Kingdom, the Acropolis of Athens, ancient Rome and the ancient Toledo of Spain.

 

How can the ancient city of Toledo achieve more scientific and improved protection and development? How can the three major museums of Madrid's "Art Triangle" offer visitors more diverse and innovative experiences? How can government institutions better leverage the rich cultural heritage to drive economic development? These questions, which concern the cultural and creative sectors of Spain and many other countries, may find inspiration in a forum for the exchange of civilizations held more than 10.000 kilometers away, in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, capital of the Zhejiang region, south of Shanghai.

 

The third edition of the Liangzhu Forum is currently being held in Yuhang District, Hangzhou, under the theme of "The Rebirth of Civilization: Cultural Heritage and Cultural Diversity of Humanity." The event focuses on key themes such as world heritage and global civilizations, with the aim of promoting cultural transmission, international exchange, and high-quality local economic development. Liangzhu, a 5.000-year-old Chinese archaeological site, illuminates cultural splendor by fostering exchange and learning among civilizations around the world.

 

Nearly 400 guests from some 60 countries are participating in this event, sharing the latest results of their research on different civilizations and new models of cultural transmission. They discuss the origins of civilization, the protection of cultural sites, museum management, and world heritage sites in a profound dialogue that transcends time and space to celebrate the shared beauty of culture.

 

Liangzhu, whose name means “beautiful island among the waters,” is located in an area of ​​plains crisscrossed by rivers in Yuhang County, a district of Hangzhou City, in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province. The archaeological site of the ancient city of Liangzhu represents the achievements of China’s prehistoric rice-growing civilization dating back more than 5.000 years. In 2019, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List; in 2020, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, thanks to this forum and initiatives such as “Liangzhu and Dialogue with the World,” the site has become a pioneering force—both old and young—driven by global dialogue among civilizations, exchanges within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, and the dissemination of Chinese civilization.

 

Dialogue between cultures, the example of Toledo

 

Humanity's cultural diversity makes the world richer and more vibrant, allowing different cultures to dialogue, coexist in harmony, learn from one another, and innovate through fusion. The barriers of time and space have never hindered the resonance of the wisdom of civilizations. With more than 2.200 years of history, the ancient city of Toledo was the capital of the Visigothic Kingdom and the Arab Empire; its streets are lined with Moorish arches and Gothic towers, earning it the title of "living fossil of the coexistence of three cultures." Meanwhile, the site of the ancient city of Liangzhu, with its 3 million square meters and complex hydraulic system, demonstrates the solid roots of Chinese civilization dating back five millennia. Although separated by more than 10.000 kilometers and 3.000 years, Liangzhu and Toledo share the integration of multiple cultural influences and refined urban planning, testifying to the common code of the development of civilizations.

 

The Global Civilization Initiative, launched by China in 2023, reflected its commitment and sincerity to cooperating with the international community to open a new era of cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and flourishing diversity in the garden of world civilizations. Through initiatives such as the traveling exhibition “Encounter with Liangzhu: The Origin of Civilization,” the creation of an international cultural database, and the global promotion of artistic works inspired by Liangzhu, its legacy has reached 14 countries and regions, including Greece, Cuba, and Brazil. In addition, through the “Liangzhu and the World” program, the ancient city has established cultural “dialogues” with Stonehenge (UK), the Acropolis of Athens (Greece), ancient Rome (Italy), and the ancient city of Toledo (Spain).

 

At the Liangzhu Day meeting in Hangzhou 2024 between Liangzhu and Toledo, Spanish experts stressed that “Culture should not be seen merely as a goal of sustainable development, but as a powerful driving force behind it.” This vision is fully in line with Liangzhu's philosophy of achieving harmonious coexistence between protection and development.

 

Liangzhu culture

 

Liangzhu culture dates back to 5.300 to 4.300 years ago, dating from the Yangtze Delta and the surrounding Lake Tai region. This culture already featured advanced rice agriculture, a complex social division of labor, marked social stratification, and unified spiritual beliefs. The center of the Liangzhu culture is the site of the ancient city of Liangzhu, which consists of a palace area, an inner city, and an outer city, surrounded by a large hydraulic system. The ancient city of Liangzhu is the largest urban settlement discovered to date in China, or even in the world, dating from 5,000 years ago, combining walls and an irrigation system.

 

The ancient city of Liangzhu was the center of power and belief of the Liangzhu culture. This culture had reached the stage of mature civilization and early states, and the Liangzhu site constitutes a sacred site that reflects the history of more than five thousand years of Chinese civilization.

 

Example of ancient and modern China

 

The Zhejiang region owes its name to the Qiantang River, the longest river in the province, which literally means "winding river." It is the backbone that nourishes the natural landscapes of this destination, unique in the world. This province, with a mere 110 square kilometers (a fifth of Spain's area) but with more than 58 million inhabitants, represents the prototype of ancient China—in fact, the city of Shaoxing, 60 km southeast of the capital, Hangzhou, is believed to be the oldest city in China—but it is also a good example of the most avant-garde China, one of the most prosperous, developed, and densely populated in the country, and is world-renowned for its tea, silk, and rice production.

 

Its location on the country's southeastern coast shapes the character of its landscape: it boasts a vast coastline overlooking the East China Sea and an area dotted with agricultural, fishing, and commercial areas. Its lush nature, its inexhaustible cultural and architectural heritage, and its culinary heritage, fundamental to traditional Chinese cuisine, are some of the reasons why Zhejiang is a major emerging destination in the country.

 

Among other attractions, the Tianyi Pavilion, the oldest private library in China, with more than 300.000 books in its archives, and the impressive West Lake, one of the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Zhejiang and a source of inspiration for poets and writers who wrote about its unparalleled beauty. The Grand Canal, also recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is not only the longest and oldest canal in the world, but also a marvel of ancient engineering, which in the 7th century successfully developed a hydraulic system that survives to this day.

 

Buddhist pilgrimage site

 

Zhejiang preserves part of the heritage of Chinese Buddhism. The roots of its rituals and beliefs are sunk in its landscapes and temples, resonating in Tiantai Mountain, a pilgrimage destination known by locals as "the stairway to heaven." Buddhist traces also remain in the Temple of the Retreat of Souls, one of the 10 most important Buddhist temples in Chinese Buddhism, or on Mount Putuo, on the island of the same name, considered the "Kingdom of the Seas" by Buddhism, which also offers a unique hiking trail. This mountain is one of four in the country considered sacred by Buddhists. The beautiful landscapes of this island formed a perfect backdrop for the temples and other religious buildings that would be built there for this religion. In its heyday, this island once had 82 temples and convents, which, along with 128 refuges, provided a home to some four thousand Buddhist nuns and monks.

 

Hangzhou, the vibrant capital of Zhejiang, was considered the Earthly Paradise in the Middle Ages. Marco Polo was among its admirers, who lavished praise on the city's gardens and temples. Today, it is a bustling city surrounded by nature, with shopping and craft opportunities like its picturesque Qing He Fang Street; the imposing Six Harmonies Pagoda, erected in 970; and the interesting National Silk Museum, where you can admire the world's oldest remains associated with China's silk and rice culture. The same is true of Lingyin Temple, a Buddhist complex founded in 326 AD and whose current appearance dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).

 

To complete the tour, a visit to the Dragon Well tea plantations is also recommended, not to mention the bustling Hefang Jie, a busy thoroughfare packed with markets. Likewise, don't forget to pay attention to Hangzhou's nightlife and its rich cuisine, dominated by seafood in a region with both fresh and salt water.

 

Wang Nan, Wang Shu and Enrique Sancho