Liangzhu and Samarkand bridge ancient legacies through cultural dialogue

More than 100 participants examined the intersection of heritage preservation and digital innovation, focusing on how both Liangzhu and Samarkand can leverage technology to revitalize ancient sites. The Uzbek delegation toured the Liangzhu ruins, observing the site’s integration of AI-powered smart glasses and systematic monitoring systems—an approach Farhod Nishonov, deputy mayor of Samarkand, intends to adapt for his own historic city.

Beyond technical conservation, the meeting solidified plans for deepened bilateral cooperation. Officials outlined a roadmap for joint exhibitions and youth exchange programs, strengthening the existing sister-city bond between Hangzhou and Samarkand. Yang Xiaoping, deputy director of the Liangzhu Management Committee, noted that the partnership serves as a two-way learning opportunity, blending China’s conservation experience with Central Asian expertise in site operations to foster closer ties between the two nations.