'Mobile Museum' expands students' cultural horizons

Students at Hami No. 12 Middle School in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region explored heritage firsthand on Oct. 14, as the Hami Museum and the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum teamed up to offer lectures, mobile exhibitions, and hands-on cultural experiences.

A student tries his hand at rope-weaving with the help of a volunteer at a heritage workshop in Hami No. 12 Middle School, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Oct. 14, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The event was part of the joint "Mobile Museum" cultural education initiative.

It kicked off with an immersive lecture, "Poetry of the Three Gorges," presented by Qiu Xiaoling, a senior curator from the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum. Through vivid imagery and storytelling, students were transported to the banks of the Yangtze River to explore its breathtaking scenery, ancient history, and the engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Project. 

Qiao Dan, a docent from the Hami Museum, gave a presentation on the revolutionary spirit. By sharing stories of martyrs using old photographs and family letters, the session brought traditional patriotic education directly to life, inspiring students to reflect on the power of faith and legacy.

To complete the experience, an interactive workshop allowed students to work with museum instructors and volunteers to learn traditional rope-weaving. This handcraft session brought intangible cultural heritage closer to the younger generation in a fun, tangible way.

This initiative not only built a meaningful cultural bridge between Hami and Chongqing but also enriched the campus with diverse regional and revolutionary history.

The Hami Museum plans to expand its "Mobile Museum" programs and school-museum partnerships to ensure more local youth can easily access and experience history.