There is a World Heritage Craze in China. China claims to have the longest continuous civilization in the world and is seeking recognition from UNESCO. This book explores three dimensions of the UNESCO World Heritage initiative with particular relevance for China: the universal agenda, the national practices, and the local responses. With a sociological lens, this book offers comprehensive insights into World Heritage, as well as China's deep social, cultural, and political structures.

Heritage Sites in Contemporary China: Cultural Policies and Management Practices focuses on cultural heritage policies in China emerging in the period of the 11th and 12th Five Year Plans. Various important Chinese sites across China are investigated, including Luoyang Sui, Daming Gong, Niuheliang, Xinjiang, and Nanyuewang through the dual perspective of archaeological debate and as a case study of policy making. It explores the relationship between policy and the institutional and administrative conditions, such as budgeting and land concerns, which affect it. Building on the research project implemented by the China Academy for Cultural Heritage (CACH) from 2012-2014, which focused on the impact of the Dayizhi Policy for Great Archaeological Sites, the book provides an interdisciplinary insider's approach to viewing archaeological discoveries; policies and emerging practices in site and archaeological management; and public administration in China. Featuring contributions from experts within CACH and from the Chinese community of archaeologists, and including numerous tables, data and maps, it will appeal to researchers and scholars in disciplines such as archaeology, heritage management, public administration, and policy making.

Heritage Sites in Contemporary China: Cultural Policies and Management Practices focuses on cultural heritage policies in China emerging in the period of the 11th and 12th Five Year Plans. Various important Chinese sites across China are investigated, including Luoyang Sui, Daming Gong, Niuheliang, Xinjiang, and Nanyuewang through the dual perspective of archaeological debate and as a case study of policy making. It explores the relationship between policy and the institutional and administrative conditions, such as budgeting and land concerns, which affect it. Building on the research project implemented by the China Academy for Cultural Heritage (CACH) from 2012-2014, which focused on the impact of the Dayizhi Policy for Great Archaeological Sites, the book provides an interdisciplinary insider's approach to viewing archaeological discoveries; policies and emerging practices in site and archaeological management; and public administration in China. Featuring contributions from experts within CACH and from the Chinese community of archaeologists, and including numerous tables, data and maps, it will appeal to researchers and scholars in disciplines such as archaeology, heritage management, public administration, and policy making.

The Chinese state uses cultural heritage as a source of power by linking it to political and economic goals, but heritage discourse has at the same time encouraged new actors to appropriate the discourse to protect their own traditions. This book focuses on that contested nature of heritage, especially through the lens of individuals, local communities, religious groups, and heritage experts. It examines the effect of the internet on heritage-isation, as well as how that process affects different groups of people.

There is a World Heritage Craze in China. China claims to have the longest continuous civilization in the world and is seeking recognition from UNESCO. This book explores three dimensions of the UNESCO World Heritage initiative with particular relevance for China: the universal agenda, the national practices, and the local responses. With a sociological lens, this book offers comprehensive insights into World Heritage, as well as China's deep social, cultural, and political structures.