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Taiwan compatriot dedicated to cultural relic preservation in Xiamen

chinadaily.com.cn| Updated: Aug 26, 2019

The culture and tourism authority of Siming district held a cultural relic tour for local teenagers on Aug 24. It invited a group of volunteers to introduce the relics. 

Chou Chih-ju from Taiwan is crucial to the success of the activity. As the director of a workshop dedicated to preserving historical streets and improving community living spaces, she helped train the volunteers. 

Chou has been carrying out research on the local cultural relics since 2016. As a former guide for historical sites in Tainan, Taiwan, she is experienced in the preservation of cultural relics. 

"There are many immovable relics in Xiamen, many of which are scattered around the streets. In addition to the government, residents should also take responsibility in protecting these invaluable pieces of history," Chou said. 

According to her, there are several hundred volunteer guides at Tainan's historical sites each Saturday. 

It took Chou and her colleagues nearly one year to fully investigate the immovable cultural relics and architectural sites in Siming. They ultimately designed three tourist routes connecting the sites. 

Chou and her colleagues also helped train volunteers to introduce the historical sites to tourists. More people are expected to join the volunteer team in the near future, she said. 

Additionally, she plans to set up a "cultural relic bank" in Xiamen with her colleagues, which will preserve and explore the value of irreparable cultural relics.