Headline: Increasing Visitor Numbers Transform Dayiwang Culture in China

In a recent interview, Wang Zhijun, the Party Secretary of Wuying Town, shared insights about the remarkable surge in visitors to the Dayiwang site in Tianshui City, Gansu Province, recently described as China’s oldest prehistoric settlement. After more than 40 years of official archaeological excavations, the site is witnessing an unprecedented flow of tourists. Historically known for having a significant reputation but limited audience, Dayiwang is now attracting not only history enthusiasts from around the globe but also a growing number of everyday tourists.

This year, the popularity of Tianshui’s spicy hot pot has put neighboring Qin’an County in the spotlight, drawing countless visitors eager to explore its mysteries. Among them were young Sinologists from 22 countries participating in the 2024 Youth Sinology Research Program. They were particularly impressed by the original palace site (F901) identified as “China’s earliest palace-style architecture” and enchanted by the “Dayiwang Little Ancestor,” a colorful pottery vessel dating back over 5,000 years.

Wang noted, “For decades we’ve been holding onto Dayiwang, our ‘golden bowl,’ and this year we’ve finally started to enjoy the ‘cultural tourism feast.’” He revealed that the site previously attracted fewer than 150,000 visitors annually but has already surpassed 320,000 this year, with one day peaking at over 15,000 visitors. Local residents have commented they’ve “never seen so many people.”

The Dayiwang site, recognized for its extensive archaeological significance with eight “China’s firsts” during the Neolithic period, is a vital birthplace of the Chinese nation and human civilization. With a history of continuous human activity dating back 60,000 years and 8,000 years of civilization, it’s often called “The First Village of Longyuan.”

Faced with this influx of tourists, Wang emphasized the challenge of ensuring cultural relic safety while enhancing visitor experiences. “The previous flow of visitors was sparse, and local dining and lodging options were lacking. Improving our capacity to host tourists has become urgent,” he explained. This year has seen a rise in rural guesthouses and homestays springing up around the site, with local families offering traditional dishes to visitors.

Interestingly, young people are emerging as a key demographic in the preservation and promotion of Dayiwang culture. Wang mentioned that educational activities focusing on Dayiwang culture have gained traction, with hundreds of students participating in various learning experiences daily, deeply engaging with the site’s rich history.

In an interview, Shao Yaofeng, Deputy Director of the Gansu Dayiwang Cultural Relics Protection Research Institute, shared that the institute has launched an “International Archaeological Research Base.” This initiative includes courses in fire-starting, pottery making, and simulated archaeology, allowing students to immerse themselves in the realities of prehistoric Chinese civilization through hands-on practice.

The popularity of Dayiwang culture has also inspired a significant investment of 50 million RMB into the “Dayiwang Rural Complex Project.” This initiative aims to enhance infrastructure, develop unique local industries, and integrate cultural tourism, creating a multifunctional tourism zone that encompasses cultural nostalgia, agritourism, ecological leisure, and water-based entertainment.

Qin’an County Secretary Zhou Ji stated in a recent interview that Qin’an is a renowned historical and cultural city in southeastern Longdong, known for being the birthplace of many historical figures. Looking ahead, Qin’an aims to establish Dayiwang as an international tourism destination with a focus on trends in northwest and rural tourism, fast-tracking the creation of a 5A-rated cultural industrial park centered around Dayiwang. “We want to activate over 50 rural tourism attractions in the county through strategic developments,” Zhou noted.