An immersive cultural event recently was launched at the Hemudu Site in Ningbo City of east China's Zhejiang Province, marking the beginning of construction of the Hemudu National Archaeological Park.

Nestled in the valley of the Yaojiang River between Siming Mountain and Cuiping Mountain, the park takes the Hemudu site, Tianluoshan site, and Zishan site as its nucleus, while also including the Jingtoushan site and Shi'ao site.
This project was officially approved in late 2022 and recognized as part of the fourth group of National Archaeological Parks designated by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.
The cultural event presented various creative products related to the Hemudu culture.
From the Hemudu site to the prospective entrance of the Hemudu National Archaeological Park, scenarios from former centuries such as ancestral worship rituals, rice harvesting, and pottery crafting were meticulously recreated in front of the restored stilt-style structures.
The design shows a multifunctional public cultural space with five themed exhibition areas. Construction first began on the ancient and modern natural exhibition area, which spans 45.36 hectares and requires an estimated total investment of 317 million yuan (about 44.6 million U.S. dollars).
"We have centered our planning around the two mainstays of 'rice farming culture' and 'maritime culture,' and have laid out five exhibition areas encompassing the display of cultural relics, achievements in archaeological development, as well as tourism and educational services," said Fang Ding'er, chairman of Ningbo Hemudu Cultural Tourism Group Co., Ltd.
Construction of the Hemudu National Archaeological Park is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
"Over a five- to 10-year development phase, we expect to see a major boost in terms of how Hemudu culture is showcased. We have also set the long-term goal of applying Hemudu culture for UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status," said Sun Guoping, director of Prehistoric Archaeology Office with Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.