The grassland capital

Generations of protectors

In 1961, Shangjing was included in China's first list of key cultural heritage sites under national-level protection. Since then, it has been carefully guarded by generations of Baarin Left Banner inhabitants. In the past decades, they have seen off several proposals of construction within the earthen walls of the city ruins.

In 2002, a regulation for protection of the Shangjing site was promulgated. In 2012, shortly after the archaeological mission was launched, the site was included in China's tentative list for seeking UNESCO World Heritage status.

According to Wang Lijun, deputy director of culture and tourism department of the Banner government, concerted efforts have been made since to ensure the safety of the ruins. A national highway was realigned to spare the site and hundreds of families who once lived close by were relocated.

Baarin Left Banner may not be a cash-rich county, but Wang Lijun considered spending on protecting the site essential. "Generations of people have taken care of the ruins. It is a responsibility we owe to history," he says.