From November 1st to 4th, the 2nd International Conference on Dan Culture, themed "Dialogue Across Literature and Field: Alchemy and Traditional Culture," was grandly held at the Danlu Mountain Scenic Area in Guangxi. The conference was jointly organized by the Department of History of Science and Technology, College of Ethnology and Sociology, Guangxi University for Nationalities; the Institute of Daoism and Religious Culture, Sichuan University; and the Alchemy and Health Preservation Branch of the Laozi Daoist Culture Research Association, and hosted by Guangxi Nandan Fude Tourism Investment Co., Ltd.
The seminar scene of "Dialogue Across Literature and Field: Alchemy and Traditional Culture"
??More than 100 experts, professors, leaders from nearly 20 domestic and international universities and research institutes, as well as local renowned cultural historian Mr. Xu Jinwen and other relevant individuals, gathered at Danlu Mountain to participate in the seminar. This conference engaged in dialogue from both documentary and field perspectives, delving into the integration, dissemination, and evolution of alchemy and traditional culture; the protection of cultural relics and historical sites and tourism development; in-depth exploration and systematic research of the Zhuang Tusi culture; expansion of Daoist health preservation and eco-tourism models—thereby polishing the "Dan Culture" golden brand of the Ming Dynasty alchemy site and promoting the healthy and rapid development of cultural and ecological tourism at the Danlu Mountain Scenic Area.
Experts and scholars touching the world's only physical ancient alchemy furnace
??Liang Yunxiang, Chairman of Guangxi Nandan Fude Tourism Investment Co., Ltd., the organizer of this conference, said in his welcome speech that Danlu Mountain is located in Wua Town, Nandan County, Hechi City, Guangxi, China, with an altitude of 750 meters and an average annual temperature of 16.9 degrees. The mountain features numerous tangible cultural relics such as the Tianyuan Diyuan Renyuan Alchemy Platforms, Tianmen Dimen Renmen Ancient City Gates, alchemy furnaces, palace ruins, "Wolf Soldier" barracks ruins, and the Salt Horse Ancient Road. It boasts profound cultural atmosphere, especially the "Yiji" stele which records “early summer of the Wanli Gui Mao year, alchemy was successfully produced,” meaning alchemy success in 1603. Plans are underway to conduct in-depth archaeological excavations at Danlu Mountain alongside cultural exploration.
??Yang Xiong, Chairman of Hechi Cultural Tourism Investment Co., Ltd., said in his speech at the seminar that Hechi is China’s first prefecture-level Longevity City. It is rich in and distinguished by cultural tourism resources such as longevity culture, alchemy culture, Tusi culture, mountain song culture, bronze drum culture, and "Wolf Soldier" culture. He expressed hope that experts and scholars would offer advice for the development of Hechi’s cultural tourism and provide more intellectual support through the seminar.
??At the seminar, the renowned scholar Professor Zhu Yueli reviewed the academic journey of alchemy research, highly commending this uniquely designed Dan Culture seminar. He emphasized that the Danlu Mountain alchemy site has numerous tangible artifacts, which are rare both domestically and internationally, possessing academic research and tourism development value. He also provided constructive planning and development suggestions regarding the research, protection, development, and utilization of the alchemy site.
??Professor Zhang Guangbao from Peking University believes that Nandan County’s Danlu Mountain has established the brand of a blessed land of caves and heavens, highlighting its unique Dan Culture. Experts and scholars from various fields gathered at Guangxi Danlu Mountain to engage in the "Dialogue Across Literature and Field: Alchemy and Traditional Culture," exchanging new ideas, implementing new measures, playing new roles, driving new development, and exploring and utilizing alchemy and traditional culture. They used the key of wisdom to unlock the ancient alchemy gate of Danlu Mountain and unveil the mysteries of alchemy culture and longevity health preservation.
??Professor Wang Chenfa, former Director of the Planning Department of the Malaysian National Tourism Administration and President of the Malaysian Taoist College, said that Daoist thought and wisdom have had a significant impact on the traditional cultures of East Asian countries and continue to play an important role in today’s society. Excavating, organizing, and promoting the culture of Guangxi Danlu Mountain, especially the alchemy health culture, and advancing the innovative development and creative transformation of outstanding Chinese culture is not only the responsibility and mission of academia and tourism professionals, but also requires strong support from governments at all levels. It calls for the deep integration of cultural and tourism resources to create linear cultural tourism.
??The well-known scholar Professor Lin Wenqin said that although he had some understanding of Danlu Mountain prior to attending, the on-site visit left him immensely shocked and pleasantly surprised. The Danlu Mountain alchemy site is well-preserved, large in scale, and rich in resources. This resource is priceless and a sacred place especially favored by those who seek wellness and contemplation. He also offered many valuable opinions and suggestions for the development of Danlu Mountain resources.
??Professors Zeng Chuanhui from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Kong Linghong from Zhejiang University specifically pointed out, in response to the one-sided misunderstanding of "alchemy pills" by the public, that the ancient pursuit of alchemy was aimed at health and longevity. Their understanding of the medicinal properties of various animals and plants, as well as their rigorous and high standards in medication use, were extremely strict. Whether the pills were offered to the imperial court or taken personally, they were based on scientific experiments, emphasizing safety, science, and efficacy. Therefore, we have reason to believe that truly successful ancient alchemy pill production was scientific and rigorous, making great contributions to health preservation and the development of traditional Chinese medicine.
??Professor Rong Zhiyi from the College of Ethnology and Sociology, Guangxi University for Nationalities, said that in traditional Chinese culture, there is a saying: “Nine out of ten Daoists understand medicine; medicine and Dao lead to the immortal path.” During the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era, the Immortal Guanyang built a furnace at Danlu Mountain to practice alchemy, advocating self-cultivation and focusing on the physical and mental health of people. Dedicated to the exploration of alchemy for healing and wellness, he accumulated a wealth of experience and methods in traditional Chinese medicine health preservation through extensive practice, which were continuously refined and developed among the people.
Experts and scholars flipping through ancient volumes of folk scriptures from the Nadi Tusi State
??The hosting of the 2nd International Conference on Dan Culture with the theme "Dialogue Across Literature and Field: Alchemy and Traditional Culture" achieved a major collision of wisdom. Chinese and foreign experts and scholars exchanged new ideas, implemented new measures, played new roles, and drove new development. They explored and discussed the inheritance, innovation, and development of alchemy and traditional culture, further enriching the research findings of the Danlu Mountain alchemy site. At the conference, domestic and international experts unanimously recommended Danlu Mountain as the permanent host site for China’s Dan Culture seminars, and suggested strengthening the construction of supporting facilities at the scenic area, especially improving road traffic infrastructure around the scenic area.
??During the conference, Chinese and foreign experts conducted on-site inspections of ancient architectural complexes such as the Ming Dynasty Tusi Ancient City Ruins, Daoist Palace Ruins, and Tusi Alchemy Site, as well as folk belief rituals. They studied related cultural relics such as alchemy platforms, alchemy furnaces, alchemy altars, alchemy wells, alchemy pills, cliff inscriptions, blue-and-white porcelain, and bean-green glaze. They retraced the ancient salt merchant horse trail of Danlu Mountain, visited the Wolf Soldier barracks ruins, climbed the Ming Dynasty beacon tower, and through comprehensive inspection and in-depth discussion and exchange, provided theoretical support, policy basis, historical evidence, and practical grounding for the development of the Danlu Mountain Scenic Area and even the high-quality development of the local economy and society.