The Living Heritage Park, located westwards of the city center, celebrated its grand opening last Saturday. Thousands of families came along to explore the beautifully restored village, which has been fully furnished with traditional tools and handicrafts collected from across the region. Many exhibits featured secondhand items donated by local families, giving the venue an authentic and personal atmosphere that modern museums often struggle to recreate.
Throughout the morning, visitors took part in a variety of cultural activities. Along the waterway, boating tours brought guests through scenic channels surrounded by dense bamboo forests. A botany workshop led by university students helped younger visitors identify native plants and learn about the importance of preserving local ecosystems. Nearby, a craftsman in the restored barbershop skillfully demonstrated traditional hair-cutting techniques using antique tools, drawing crowds of curious spectators who gathered to watch in silence.
The afternoon began with a traditional wedding re-enactment in the central courtyard. A local actor dressed as the bridegroom arrived wearing a formal dark suit and a bright red necktie. Guests sat in a semicircle around the performance area and listened attentively as the host explained each step of the ceremony. The presentation was so engaging that the audience gave their undivided attention from beginning to end, with many visitors quietly taking notes on their phones.
Park director Ms. Lin was invited to give a speech at the opening ceremony. Being considerate of both cultural heritage and the natural environment, she warmly thanked the many volunteers who had spent months preparing the site. "We ask everyone who visits today to make a contribution to this park's mission, whether by spreading the word or supporting local artisans," she said. She also asked if the park could eventually become a model for community-led cultural preservation across the country.
Inside the nature education center, an exhibit on seasonal animal behavior drew considerable interest from visitors of all ages. Naturalists explained that species such as hedgehogs and certain bats enter a period of hibernation during the colder months to conserve energy and survive the winter. An interactive station allowed guests to rewind a short documentary on winter wildlife and review key facts at their own pace. Nearby, the children's playroom offered hands-on activities, including a cooking corner where families worked together to prepare a simple omelette using fresh local eggs, and an art table where young visitors shaped and decorated a festive paper snowman.
The park's environmental guide reminded visitors that they must not disobey the posted rules, which include staying on marked paths and keeping noise levels low to protect the surrounding wildlife. "Nature has been merciful to us for generations," the guide said with quiet conviction, "and we have a responsibility to return that kindness." Being surrounded by lush greenery and the warm scent of old timber, visitors left the park that evening feeling both inspired and more deeply connected to their cultural roots and natural environment.