Heritage in motion: Xizang's living traditions

In this episode of Round Table's "China Horizons," Laiming, Xinyu, and Niu Honglin explore the cultural landscape of Xizang (Tibet), focusing on the integration of tradition and modernity. They discuss the Jibun Gang Art Center in Lhasa, a renovated historical site now hosting art exhibitions and cultural activities. The conversation extends to the dual nature of religious and tourist sites like Potala Palace and Bakor Street, highlighting the use of technology such as QR codes and VR for preservation and enhanced visitor experience. They also touch on new tourism trends, including traditional costume photography, the Peach Blossom Festival in Ningchi, and immersive cultural experiences like the Wencheng Princess live-action performance. The panel further examines the preservation and modernization of traditional crafts like Tibetan carpets and incense, noting the role of e-commerce, government subsidies, and creative marketing in sustaining these cultural practices, and also the flourishing of Tibetan language in modern art forms like stand-up comedy and music.