In a unique exploration of cultural continuity, Hangzhou's 5,000-year-old Liangzhu Archaeological Site now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with cutting-edge tech hubs as China redefines modernization. CGTN's Yang Xinmeng recently led an international delegation through this living timeline, revealing how the Zhejiang provincial capital harmonizes historical preservation with technological ambition.
The journey began at the UNESCO-listed Liangzhu ruins, where advanced water management systems from China's Neolithic period mirror contemporary urban planning principles. "What we call 'modern' often has deeper roots than we acknowledge," noted Dr. Amara Singh, a Singaporean cultural historian participating in the tour.
Transitioning to Hangzhou's Future Sci-Tech City, the group witnessed quantum computing labs and AI research centers operating alongside traditional tea plantations. This juxtaposition sparks crucial conversations: How does China's vision of progress, blending civilizational legacy with innovation, compare to Western models of development?
Professor Li Wei from Zhejiang University observed: "Our modernization isn't about erasing the past, but creating dialogue between eras. The same city that preserves Liangzhu's jade artifacts now incubates blockchain solutions for cultural heritage protection."
As Asian nations increasingly shape global tech trends, Hangzhou's model offers insights into region-specific development paths. The city's approach – simultaneously hosting the 2025 International AI Symposium and launching digital reconstructions of ancient Liangzhu rituals – challenges conventional East-West modernization dichotomies.
