Anyang: An ancient city ready to take flight

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By Liu Ning, Zhang Kaiwei, Huo Yaping, Chen Si, Cui Yue, Elena Davydova (People's Daily Online) 08:59, May 18, 2024

Anyang, located in central China's Henan Province, is a city steeped in history, but at the same time poised for a dynamic future. Renowned for its rich cultural heritage and significant archaeological discoveries, Anyang stands as a testament to China's ancient civilization while embracing modernity through innovation.

Drone photo taken on March 29, 2024 shows the skyline of Anyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Ning)

With its vibrant and diverse cultural heritage, the city holds a pivotal place in Chinese history, notably as the capital of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.), one of the earliest recorded dynasties in ancient China. Archaeological sites such as the Yin Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer a glimpse into the region’s glorious past, with its many relics and artifacts shedding light on early Chinese civilization. Visitors to the city can explore ancient temples, pagodas, and museums showcasing artifacts from various periods. Anyang captivates visitors with its diverse offerings and promising future.

Exploring the cradle of Chinese civilization

Photo taken on March 25, 2024 shows the oracle bones displayed at the new building of Yinxu Museum in Anyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Ning)

How do you tell whether today is a good day to go to school or go hunting? Thousands of years ago, people in the Shang Dynasty used oracle bones to find the answer. These bones, primarily ox scapulae or tortoise shells, were used for divination purposes. Diviners inscribed questions on matters such as harvests, the weather, or royal decisions onto the bones, which were later heated to produce cracks then interpreted as divine answers, providing guidance to the ruling elite.

The crowning glory of Yin Ruins lies in its oracle bone discovery, which marked a pivotal moment in the understanding of ancient Chinese culture and language. Li Xiaoyang, head of Anyang Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics, said that Chinese characters are very intriguing, especially the method of creating characters, which originated from the oracle bone inscriptions, and our culture is preserved through the inheritance of these characters.

The Yin Ruins is regarded as a testament to Anyang's ancient past and the cradle of Chinese civilization. Dating back over 3,000 years, this archaeological site unveils the remnants of the Shang Dynasty, showcasing palace foundations, ritual vessels, and oracle bone inscriptions. It continues to draw scholars, historians, and tourists eager to unlock the mysteries of China's early history.

Drone photo taken on March 25, 2024 shows the new building of Yinxu Museum in Anyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Ning)

A new building of Yinxu Museum in Anyang city officially opened to the public on Feb. 26, 2024. Its grand opening marks a significant milestone in the preservation and showcasing of the region’s rich cultural heritage.

The museum showcases nearly 4,000 items or sets of cultural relics, including bronzeware, pottery, oracle bones, and jade objects. Over three-fourths of these relics are being shown to the public for the first time. “We are going to let Chinese people as well as our friends from other countries to know more about Chinese culture by publicizing our archaeological achievements and showing our cultural relics,” said Li.

Embracing low-altitude economy to develop new quality productive forces

Photo taken on March 28, 2024 shows drones in a UAV workshop in Anyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Kaiwei)

After the operator clicks the mouse to mark several locations on a digital map, the lid of a drone station automatically opens. A drone then flies out of the station to check all the marked locations and returns to the station autonomously after its mission is completed. This is not a scene from a sci-fi movie, but something that actually took place in the UAV industrial park in Anyang. The UAV can be used in many fields such as agriculture, rescue, meteorology and industry.

The low-altitude economy covers a wide range of industries focusing on both manned and unmanned civil aerial vehicles. The sector includes aircraft manufacturing, low-altitude flight operations, and a slew of related services. The low-altitude economy was highlighted in China's Government Work Report for the first time this year, making it a key factor in nurturing new quality productive forces and a new growth engine.