Chongqing - From the intricate carvings of the Dazu Rock Carvings to the ancient hydrological inscriptions of Baiheliang, from the wartime legacy of the Hongyan spirit to the collective memory of millions of Three Gorges migrants, Chongqing’s museums are stepping onto the global stage with a renewed sense of openness and purpose.
Chinese and international experts engage in dialogue during a Yangtze River culture exploration program. (Photo/Xie Zhiqiang)
As International Museum Day approaches on May 18, 2026, this year’s theme — “Museums: Uniting a Divided World” — resonates strongly with the southwestern Chinese metropolis. In recent years, Chongqing has transformed its museum network into a dynamic platform for global cultural exchange, combining exhibitions, academic dialogue, and heritage conservation to connect local narratives with international audiences.
From the Three Gorges to the World
At the heart of this transformation is a shift in role: museums are no longer passive repositories but active cultural ambassadors.
In April 2025, the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum hosted an unusual guqin concert. On stage, international students from Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand performed traditional Chinese melodies, while a visually impaired child from Chongqing delivered a moving rendition of classical pieces. The event, blending inclusivity with cross-cultural exchange, reflected a broader trend of “bringing in” and “going out” in Chongqing’s museum practices.
At the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, international students from Iraq, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam attend a guqin training program. (Photo/Qi Lansen)
Major exhibitions have also extended the city’s cultural reach. The 2024 exhibition “From Dunhuang to Dazu: The Development of Grotto Art in China,” co-organized with the Dunhuang Academy and the Academy of Dazu Rock Carvings, attracted more than 109,000 visitors. By linking two iconic grotto sites along the ancient Silk Road, the exhibition offered a compelling narrative of how Buddhist art evolved within Chinese culture — a story of adaptation, innovation and inclusivity.
Digital technology has further amplified this outreach. The “Digital Dazu Rock Carvings” project has gained international recognition, been showcased at the World Internet Conference, and reached hundreds of thousands of global users through social media. By transcending language and geography, digital exhibitions are allowing ancient heritage to engage audiences worldwide.
Academic Platforms for Civilizational Dialogue
Beyond exhibitions, Chongqing has emerged as a hub for international academic exchange, where ideas about heritage and civilization are debated and shared.
In August 2023, the first International Forum on Cave Temple Conservation was held in Dazu District, bringing together leading global experts to address challenges such as climate change. The forum produced the “Dazu Declaration,” which offers practical guidance and establishes a shared framework for global heritage conservation.
Scene from the Second General Assembly of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia. (Photo/Qi Lansen)
Two years later, in November 2025, Chongqing hosted the second General Assembly of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia. Representatives from 26 countries and international organizations gathered to advance cooperation, culminating in the “Chongqing Consensus” and new agreements on heritage protection, including collaboration between China and Egypt.
The city also hosted the 2025 Yangtze River Civilization Forum, marking its first fully international edition. Scholars studying major river civilizations — including the Nile, the Tigris-Euphrates and the Amazon — engaged in dialogue with researchers of the Yangtze, fostering a broader understanding of how great rivers have shaped human history. The forum highlighted not only shared challenges but also shared wisdom across civilizations.
International Cooperation in Heritage Protection
Heritage conservation, a cornerstone of museum work, has become a key area of international collaboration.
Under China-Italy cooperation frameworks, the restoration of cliffside sculptures at Dazu has become a model project. Combining advanced scientific methods with traditional craftsmanship, the initiative has successfully addressed deterioration caused by humid environments, while fostering ongoing exchanges with international institutions.
Another landmark project involves the joint nomination of Baiheliang inscriptions in Chongqing and Egypt’s Nilometer as a shared World Heritage site. Though separated by geography, both sites represent humanity’s early efforts to monitor water levels and adapt to natural cycles — a powerful symbol of interconnected human ingenuity.
Foreign guests tour the Baiheliang Underwater Museum. (Photo/Xie Zhiqiang)
Chongqing’s expertise also extends to scientific conservation. Research platforms based at the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum are applying microbiology and molecular analysis to protect cultural relics, offering technical support to institutions across China and Belt and Road partner countries.
From collaborative concerts to international forums and cross-continental heritage projects, Chongqing’s museums are redefining how culture is shared in a globalized world.
Whether it is a stage where students from different countries perform together, a conference hall where experts reach consensus, or a digital platform bringing ancient carvings to life, these efforts all point to a common goal: building bridges between cultures.
As the Yangtze River flows endlessly through the city, so too do the stories of its past and present. Through its museums, Chongqing is presenting a vivid, multidimensional portrait of China — one that is open, engaging and deeply rooted in history — while contributing to a more connected and understanding world.