HANGZHOU, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- If you have the opportunity to visit the Chinese city of Hangzhou, in addition to exploring the famous West Lake or Lingyin Temple, make sure to set aside some time for the Hangzhou branch of the national archives.

 

The Hangzhou branch of the China National Archives of Publications and Culture (CNAPC) was inaugurated in July 2022, joining the headquarters in Beijing and the other branches in Xi'an and Guangzhou. Together, these locations house extensive collections that highlight the depth of Chinese civilization, while their stunning architecture reflects the distinctive styles of different dynasties.

 

The Hangzhou branch, or the Wenrunge, just like the city of Hangzhou, is a sublime embodiment of the culture of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), a period synonymous with the height of arts in Chinese history.

 

Strolling through the venue, with its cluster of large yet quaint buildings scattered across lush gardens, is like stepping into a traditional watercolor painting. "The whole architecture is an art piece, a poetry, inspired by Song Dynasty gardens, emphasizing harmony between man and nature," said famous Chinese architect Wang Shu, who was in charge of the venue's design.

 

A row of magnificent porcelain screens stands out, their bluish-green surface shimmering like jade under the sunlight. This enchanting sight evokes a sense of tranquility, with a clear pond reflecting the beauty above.

 

"The ancient Chinese compared the integrity of gentlemen to jade, and the city of Hangzhou is elegant like an ancient gentleman," said Wang, the first Chinese to win the Pritzker Prize.

 

"We chose Longquan porcelain as the screen's material. It is locally produced in Zhejiang, popular in the Song Dynasty, and the color and texture are very close to jade."

 

Inside Wenrunge, there are across 3.3 million publications, from ancient tomes and documents to contemporary journals, stamps and videos.

 

According to Zhang Pu, vice curator of the Hangzhou branch, some 100,000 collections were contributed by private collectors, including two valuable volumes of "Yongle Dadian," an encyclopedia compiled in the 15th century.

 

Apart from being a treasure trove of ancient classics, the Hangzhou branch of the CNAPC displays myriad other items, such as postcards, tickets, trademarks, food coupons, and even old marriage certificates.

 

"It's all about cherishing memories," Zhang said. "We need to preserve the memories of both the national and the individual level, for they all bear the marks of our civilization."

 

Apart from various exhibits, the Hangzhou branch is also known for its creativity, with a section of the venue dedicated to the demonstration and preservation of traditional block printing.

 

Through the glass walls of a closed room, visitors can watch busy craftsmen making rubbings from carved printing blocks.

 

"We initiated this project to print rare ancient classics with ancient techniques, so that we can preserve the precious classics while keeping the ancient craftsmanship alive," Zhang said.

 

The Hangzhou branch is also digitalizing the precious items in its physical collections to help them endure the vicissitudes of time.

 

Walking into the digital exhibition hall, which features naked-eye 3D technology, visitors can enjoy an immersive experience of the beauty and stories behind some of Wenrunge's major collections.

 

"Besides collecting and preserving the archives of publications and culture, another goal for us is to promote the inheritance of these treasures, so we need to attract the public, especially the young people," Zhang said.

 

According to Zhang, the Hangzhou branch of the CNAPC has welcomed over 1 million visitors since it opened two years ago, among which some 70 percent have been young people.