Hangzhou UNESCO forum discusses new role of museums

Lush expanses of purple azaleas blooming on the outskirts of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, make one of the most eye-catching spring scenes in this picturesque historic city in Jiangnan, or the region to the south of the Yangtze River.

Few probably know that under the blossoms and the soil in which they grow, lie the foundations of the wall that once encircled the late Neolithic city of Liangzhu.

Liangzhu was an early regional state with a unified belief system based on rice cultivation, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beautiful landscape and its historic charms proved fascinating to visitors on Wednesday.

They were on a trip organized as part of the program at the Third UNESCO High-Level Forum for Museums, which is being held from Wednesday to Friday in Hangzhou.

The forum is being attended by museum administrators, as well as those with concerns or opinions to share on the new role that public museums are assuming in an ever-changing world.

Participants will discuss the ways museums can commit to the protection and conservation of cultural heritage, and how they can make full use of digital technology, not only in daily management, but also in sharing findings with the public as an important source of ongoing education.