China is famous for its ancient inventions: papermaking, printing, gunpowder and the compass. But there is far more to its technological legacy than these.
One notable achievement is the Tonglushan ancient copper mining site. More than 3,000 years ago, people in China were already mining and refining high-purity copper on a large scale at this site, a feat that put them some 2,000 years ahead of the rest of the world. Located in Daye, Hubei Province in central China, this site has welcomed more than 20 million visitors since it opened in the 1980s, including tourists from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Europe and Africa.
It received official designation as a National Archaeological Site Park in 2025 and is now working towards UNESCO World Heritage status.
To further showcase China’s ancient industrial achievements to international visitors, a large-screen presentation launched last year features English subtitles alongside Chinese ones, while the park has also opened an educational workshop for visitors from China and abroad.
“The site shows that China has long had the capacity to develop advanced technologies independently. It also strengthens our cultural confidence,” said Chen Jiayi, a staff member at the site park.
Xinhua
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar