Commencing this year, the second Saturday of June will be designated as Cultural Heritage Day in China. On June 11 Guangzhou citizens celebrated the first Cultural Heritage Day, under the theme of "preserving the cultural heritage and safeguarding our spiritual home".

The Nanyue Kingdom Ruins were opened again on June 12, showcasing crocodile bones, porcupine incisor teeth, and roof tiles bigger than washbasins; with many treasures being exhibited for the first time.

More than 7,000 square meters were opened and 10,000 square meters were visible. All the highlights of the ruins were open to the public, including open ditches, underground canals, floor drains, 3,000 square meters of meandering rock canals, the Nanyue leaching well where "the most important wooden slips of the Lingnan region" were excavated, buildings and passages of the Nanyue Palace and architectural ruins of other historical periods. Objects excavated by the nine archaeologists on-site became visitor "hot spots".

A computer was set up in the exhibition room to give an introduction to the Ruins, using which, people were able to find all the information concerning the ruins at the click of a mouse. Modern electronic technology was used to create images of raindrops falling from the eaves, demonstrating the function of eave tiles and shortening the distance between past and present.

Reservations will be required for visiting the ruins and the number of visitors will be limited to 100 per day. Visitors can make a reservation by phone or in person at the box office one week in advance.

Opening Times: Tuesday to Friday afternoons and all day Saturday, closed on Sunday and Monday; and, a free Guide service is available at fixed times.

Opening Hours for Reservations: 09:00 - 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday.

Box Office: at the entrance of No. 316, Zhongshan Si Road.

Telephone Reservations: 8335 7045.

Ticket: RMB 10 per visitor; free of charge for senior citizens over 65, primary and middle school students, soldiers and disabled people; half price for senior citizens between 60 and 65 and college students. Discounts will only be available upon presentation of certificates.

(translated by Guangzhou Association of Foreign Affairs Translators)

Editor: Wing