tin_the_fatty weblog

last night.

We went to see some great conservation/preservation sites and museums, and some not-so-great ones. We listened to two great talks given by the heads of the GZ Cultural Department and the GZ Archaeology Team. Conservation and preservation are hard, and the people doing it all seem to be filled w/ heart and enthusiasm, despite all the frustrations and difficulties of their jobs.

Everyone of us also received a book documenting in detail the preservation of the old trade union house of the silk industry in GZ. A new road needed to be built, and this old building was right in the middle of the road. The Cultural Department’s engineering team reinforced this building (which was in rather poor condition), lifted in up and moved it 100(?) metres down the road, jacked it up a bit more, then moved it across and sat it on its present location. The whole structure while being lifted was described as “like water bean curd” and could have collapsed into a pile of rubble any minute but the engineers did an excellent job. The relocation took 40-odd days and once the building was in its final place it was restored to its former glory and management was turned over to city region authority. The fact that some folks are now selling cheap crappy drawings and paintings there is however a different story.

We also visited the Chan Family Ancestor Hall (right next to the metro station of the same name). Must see. Enough said.

Great trip. Glad I went along.