Cultural Tourism Observation- Visiting ancient buildings has become a long-holiday favorite for China’s “Generation Z”

As I stepped into Baoguo Temple in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, I couldn’t help but admire the intricate mortise and tenon joints that hold the structure together, supporting the impressive rooftop. Li Liang, a 2000s-born visitor from Suzhou, shared his admiration for the elegance of ancient Chinese architecture.

“I’m particularly fascinated by the ‘four great mysteries’ of Baoguo Temple: why birds don’t roost here, insects don’t bother, spiders don’t spin webs, and how dust seems to vanish from the beams,” Li Liang mentioned in our conversation. He pointed out that while ancient architecture might feel removed from our modern lives, the wisdom embedded in these designs is still relevant today, especially in traditional craftsmanship that utilizes mortise and tenon techniques.

During the recent National Day holiday, there was a notable spike in interest in ancient architecture, with many visitors—especially Gen Z—eager to explore this emerging trend of “New Chinese” culture. Baoguo Temple is recognized as one of the oldest wooden structures in China and the most well-preserved Northern Song building in the Jiangnan region, earning it the title of “a unique gem of Jiangnan.”

Xu Weiming, deputy director of the Tianyi Pavilion Museum in Ningbo, highlighted the temple’s Mahavira Hall, renowned for its delicate construction and intricate design. Impressively, this hall was built without the use of a single iron nail, relying solely on expertly executed mortise and tenon techniques to secure its components and manage the weight of a roof that exceeds 50 tons.

One standout feature of the hall is its exquisitely crafted three hollowed coffered ceilings, which blend seamlessly into the overall architecture. This clever design conceals the beam framework, giving the hall its nickname, the “Beamless Hall.”

When discussing the “four great mysteries,” Xu revealed that they are linked to the materials used in the hall, specifically yellow cypress. “This wood has a strong fragrance and is particularly durable and resistant to decay. The potent aromatic oil in yellow cypress effectively deters birds and spiders,” he explained.

Recently, there has been a surge in enthusiasm among young people for exploring historical buildings and ancient artifacts. The success of the game “Black Myth: Wukong” has introduced Chinese ancient architecture to a gaming audience, igniting a wave of online interest in these historical structures.

Shanxi, known for its rich collection of ancient buildings, saw a significant influx of attention when 27 ancient sites were featured as game venues, positioning it as a premier destination for heritage tourism.

For instance, the Xiaoxi Tian scenic area in Xixian experienced a dramatic rise in visitors, prompting the center to announce on October 3 that both online and offline ticket sales had reached full capacity for the day.

“I discovered Sisi Temple near my home after seeing it featured in ‘Black Myth: Wukong,’” said Wang Jue from Lishui, Zhejiang. She was unaware of the temple’s existence before but noted that the game brought it into the spotlight.

Founded in 1140 during the Southern Song dynasty, Sisi Temple showcases architectural styles from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, with each brick and tile narrating a tale steeped in history and the charm of ancient craftsmanship.

In response to the growing interest in heritage tourism, various regions are adopting innovative strategies to engage younger audiences in cultural exploration. The Baoguo Temple Ancient Architecture Museum in Ningbo, for example, has introduced interactive activities where visitors can learn about the principles of mortise and tenon joints through workshops like “Craftsmanship Heritage: Building the Song Dynasty Temple,” celebrating the skills of ancient artisans.

At the same time, Shanxi has rolled out creative heritage tourism options, working with the cultural tourism departments of Henan and Fujian to launch the “Ancient Architecture Advancement Guide” on social media, inviting young people to explore the rich narratives behind these historic sites.