Documentary series explores cultural significance of Yangtze River

An eight-episode documentary series, Because of the Yangtze River, debuted on Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV on Monday.

The series traces the waterway from its western source eastward to the sea, exploring the diverse cultural heritage along its basin.

To create the series, the production team conducted field visits and in-depth research along the river, collaborating with hundreds of museums and cultural institutions.

With Ge Jianxiong, a history professor at Fudan University, serving as chief academic adviser, the documentary uses representative cultural relics to narrate the story of the Yangtze River, showcasing the outstanding characteristics of Chinese civilization embodied in its culture.

By sharing stories from archaeologists, relic restorers, locals and travel vloggers, the series highlights the collective memories and cultural significance of artifacts extracted from the Yangtze River basin.

Utilizing 4K ultra-high-definition cinematography, the production team has achieved a cinematic aesthetic. They have also employed 3D modeling technology to reconstruct cultural relics, presenting them in a more vivid and lifelike manner. Meanwhile, the "Shanhai Museum" — a digital portal of precious artifacts from top museums — has launched an online exhibition with the theme of the Yangtze River and Chinese civilization.