Ancient towns in Germany, China join forces to protect heritage

An aerial drone photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows the ancient town of Bamberg, in Bavarian state, Germany. [Photo/Xinhua]

Bamberg in Germany and Shexian in China show how towns with a remarkable history can thrive today.

They answered the 2025 World Heritage Day call to protect heritage under threat from disasters and conflicts, blending conservation with daily life.

China now manages 59 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the second-highest total worldwide, just behind Italy, which has 60. 

This photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows a view of Regnitz River in the ancient town of Bamberg in Bavarian state, Germany. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows a view of the Bamberger Dom in the ancient town of Bamberg in Bavarian state, Germany. [Photo/Xinhua]

Simona von Eyb, director of the World Heritage Center Bamberg, introduces an interaction device at an exhibition hall of the center in the ancient town of Bamberg in Bavarian state, Germany, March 24, 2025.  [Photo/Xinhua]

Bamberg, a UNESCO site in the southern German state of Bavaria, still follows its medieval street grid and Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque facades after steady restoration since the 1950s.

"There are some of the earliest city plans for the city, you can still use them in the edition from the 17th century," said Simona von Eyb, director of the World Heritage Center Bamberg.

"If you have that map and walk through the town, you can still find your way and find the same place and the same structure."

The town hopes to market its centuries-old smoky beer under a new tag, "Made in World Heritage Bamberg," to link preservation with local craft.

This photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows iconic building of the ancient town of Bamberg, the former town hall built on Regnitz River, in Bavarian state, Germany. [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows the night view of the ancient town of Bamberg in Bavarian state, Germany.  [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows a view of the ancient town of Bamberg in Bavarian state, Germany.  [Photo/Xinhua]

Shexian County in east China's Anhui Province, founded in the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC) and famed for Hui-style horse-head walls, pursues a parallel path of repair and revival.

"We have successfully restored some historic buildings with a history of over 100 years according to ancient plans in a bid to make the county look like what it was in the old days," said Zhou Hu, deputy director of the Cultural Relics Conservation Center in Shexian.

This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows the Yanghe Gate of Huizhou ancient town in Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province.  [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the bell tower at Zhonghe Street in Huizhou ancient town, Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province.  [Photo/Xinhua]

A 2016 ordinance backs the effort, while visitors taste the local specialty, Huangshan Maofeng tea, and learn Chinese traditional calligraphy.

"The combination of culture and tourism has brought tourists closer to traditional culture," said Yu Xuewu, deputy chief of the county Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.

A tea artist brews Huangshan Maofeng tea at Wugongling tea garden in Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province, March 19, 2025.  [Photo/Xinhua]

A tourist rests at a cafe in Huizhou ancient town, Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province, March 18, 2025.  [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows Xuguo stone archway in Huizhou ancient town of Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province.  [Photo/Xinhua]

Shexian's ancient walls, together with 13 other ancient walls in China, have been placed under a project of application for the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Nationally, China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) channels more funds, digital monitoring and specialist training to every heritage site.

A revised Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics, adopted in November 2024 and effective this March, increases fines and opens new channels for public reporting of damage.

Since 2017, China's annual Cultural and Natural Heritage Day each June has staged drills and virtual tours; the 2024 edition highlighted disaster risk reduction.

This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows fish-shaped lanterns on the ancient walls of Huizhou ancient town in Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province.  [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows a view of Huizhou ancient town in Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province.  [Photo/Xinhua]

Shexian hopes closer links with Bamberg, which has launched a World Heritage Festival to trade ideas worldwide, will sharpen its skills.

"One day, China's World Heritage sites will be again in focus -- and that would be truly wonderful," said von Eyb.

This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows Xuguo stone archway in Huizhou ancient town of Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province.  [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows a view of the ancient town of Bamberg in Bavarian state, Germany.  [Photo/Xinhua]