The inauguration ceremony of the China Ancient Trails Research Institute at Tongji University and the First Ancient Trails Preservation Forum were successfully concluded...

    On August 30, 2014, the inauguration ceremony of the China Ancient Trails Research Institute at Tongji University and the First Ancient Trails Preservation Forum, hosted by AncientTrails.com, were held at Yifu Building of Tongji University in Shanghai. The China Ancient Trails Research Institute at Tongji University is the first specialized research institution in China to elevate “ancient trails” as an academic subject, and the Ancient Trails Preservation Forum is also the first nationwide large-scale forum in China themed around “preserving ancient trails.”

　　The forum consisted of four segments: the inauguration ceremony of the China Ancient Trails Research Institute at Tongji University, the launch of the Outdoor Alliance for Ancient Trails Preservation, the oath-taking ceremony of the “Gathering of Dreams · The Last Sichuan-Tibet 318” by AncientTrails.com, and the First Ancient Trails Preservation Forum. The event received extensive support and participation from numerous scholars and various sectors of society, with nearly a hundred distinguished guests listening to the insightful and visionary discussions. Participating in the academic exchanges were Professor Li Ye, transportation engineering doctoral supervisor and head of the Academic Affairs Office at Tongji University; Professor Gu Mingyi, professor at the School of Journalism and Communication of Shanghai International Studies University and visiting researcher at the China Ancient Trails Research Institute at Tongji University; Professor Liang Baor, tourism Ph.D. and professor at Shanghai Normal University’s Tourism College; and Professor Lou Jiajun, tourism department professor, doctoral supervisor at the Business School of East China Normal University, and director of the Leisure Research Center. Representatives from tourism bureaus of some counties and cities in the Yangtze River Delta attended, along with nearly 20 media outlets from the region covering the event.

　　Throughout thousands of years of Chinese civilization, ancient trails have been the lifeblood that has carried the development and transformation of China’s politics, economy, military, culture, population, language, and more. Ancient trails are precious intangible cultural heritage, the memory of civilization’s continuity, and witnesses to a history of vicissitudes. They also hold countless moving stories: Zhang Qian’s mission to the Western Regions, Princess Wencheng’s distant marriage, the stunning impact of Eastern silk in Europe...

　　To protect China’s remaining ancient trails and revitalize their vitality, Shanghai Fangde Industrial Group Co., Ltd. funded the official unveiling of the China Ancient Trails Research Institute at Tongji University on August 30, 2014. The institute will comprehensively organize and collect data on China’s ancient trails, assess their value using scientific and rational methods, preserve them with green and environmentally friendly principles, and explore and plan new values for the trails from scientific and developmental perspectives. It aims to breathe new life into these trails, integrate them into modern society, ultimately achieving the goal of preserving them so that future generations can inherit this valuable legacy.

　　At the inauguration ceremony, Professor Li Ye, transportation engineering doctoral supervisor and head of the Academic Affairs Office at Tongji University, was appointed as the dean of the China Ancient Trails Research Institute and introduced the institute’s upcoming work to the attendees. Professor Gu Mingyi from the School of Journalism and Communication at Shanghai International Studies University became a visiting researcher at the institute and later delivered his unique insights during the second half of the Ancient Trails Preservation Forum. Mr. Li Jianchang, director of Tongji University’s Office of External Relations and Development, became an expert advisor to the institute, delivering an impassioned speech and representing Tongji University in signing an agreement with Mr. Zhang Daomin, chairman of Shanghai Fangde Industrial Group Co., Ltd. and honorary president of the China Ancient Trails Research Institute at Tongji University.

　　(Chairman Zhang Daomin of Shanghai Fangde Industrial Group Co., Ltd. delivered an excellent speech at the forum)

　　AncientTrails.com Initiative Gains Response

　　Following the inauguration ceremony of the China Ancient Trails Research Institute at Tongji University, the event organizer AncientTrails.com proposed and initiated the establishment of the “Outdoor Alliance for Ancient Trails Preservation.” The alliance received support and participation from government bodies, local authorities at all levels, academia, outdoor clubs, and other civil forces. With AncientTrails.com as the main body of the alliance, its members include China’s Ministry of Transport, the China Highway Society, tourism bureaus at all levels, AncientTrails.com, the China Ancient Trails Research Institute at Tongji University, the Shanghai Station of the China Outdoor Exploration Alliance, the East China Tourism Journalists Alliance, and over a hundred large domestic and international outdoor clubs.

　　Mr. Zhang Daomin, chairman of Shanghai Fangde Industrial Group Co., Ltd., on behalf of the company’s AncientTrails.com, read out the “Ancient Trails Protection Initiative,” calling on the whole of society to participate in promoting and popularizing knowledge about ancient trails, raising public awareness of their preservation; establishing correct values and environmental ethics regarding ancient trails, clarifying protection responsibilities; starting with individuals, reassessing and uncovering the value of ancient trails with a professional perspective, aligning with the overall needs of social progress, and using green and environmentally friendly scientific development concepts to create new vitality for each ancient trail within local societal development; advocating for the protection of the environment of ancient trails, reducing destruction and increasing care, jointly building a green home for ancient trails. The initiative received enthusiastic responses and support from all attendees, and was passed with prolonged applause.

　　During the forum, the organizer AncientTrails.com launched the “Gathering of Dreams · The Last Sichuan-Tibet 318” oath-taking segment. A group of outdoor enthusiasts from across the country will set off from Shanghai, gather in Chengdu, and plan to drive from Chengdu to Lhasa over about half a month, documenting the soon-to-be “ancient trail” section of the Sichuan-Tibet 318, witnessing the final glory of the 318 route.

　　Because between 2014 and 2015, tunnels such as the Gaosi Mountain Tunnel, Jianziwan Mountain Tunnel, Tuoluolaka Mountain Tunnel, Tongmai Tunnel, and bridges along National Highway 318 will be successively opened to traffic, the original mountain-passing roads will gradually be abandoned. Many beautiful sceneries along these sections will only remain in memories, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences like walking among the clouds and overlooking snow-capped mountains will become legends. At the same time, the Sichuan-Tibet section of National Highway 318 is also the world-renowned “Tea Horse Ancient Road” Sichuan-Tibet line. Since its completion in 1954, this highway has undergone continuous changes. AncientTrails.com hopes that through this activity, more people will pay attention to the transformation of ancient trails, reflect on the significance of their preservation, and join in the efforts to protect them.

　　This landmark project to document the “Ancient Trail 318” has also received strong support from Changan Ford, signaling that the preservation, protection, and revitalization of ancient trails will begin with National Highway 318.

　　Wisdom Collision Sparks Reflection

　　After the three segments, the First Ancient Trails Preservation Forum finally commenced. The forum was divided into upper and lower sessions. The first session was chaired by Zhu [Name unclear] from the Operations Department of AncientTrails.com, with the theme “The Significance of Ancient Trail Preservation.” The second session was chaired by [Name unclear] from the “Tourism North” magazine, with the theme “Methods of Ancient Trail Preservation.” Attendees discussed the definition, classification of ancient trails, and personal experiences exploring them. Later, scholars presented the value of ancient trail preservation, its significance, methods, and whether elements like poetry, prose, and ancient post roads should be included in the concept of ancient trails. They also shared creative ideas and proposed some highly practical suggestions, sparking deep reflections and laying a theoretical foundation of significant value.