Chinese archaeologist Fan Jinshi has been studying the Dunhuang caves since the early 1960s, first as an archaeology undergraduate from Peking University, then as a conservationist. Photo: Fan Jinshi Chinese archaeologist Fan Jinshi has been studying the Dunhuang caves since the early 1960s, first as an archaeology undergraduate from Peking University, then as a conservationist. Photo: Fan Jinshi
Chinese archaeologist Fan Jinshi has been studying the Dunhuang caves since the early 1960s, first as an archaeology undergraduate from Peking University, then as a conservationist. Photo: Fan Jinshi
Chinese culture
Lifestyle /  Arts & Culture

Heritage conservation in China: why ‘Daughter of Dunhuang’ devoted her life to keeping Buddhist caves and relics alive

  • Chinese archaeologist Fan Jinshi has spent more than 50 years protecting the Dunhuang caves from erosion, overtourism and even Mao’s Red Guards
  • Her recent work with the British Library has seen the site’s exquisite cultural heritage digitalised and put into archives for the global community to enjoy

Topic |   Chinese culture
Snow Xia
Snow Xia

Updated: 10:24am, 18 Nov, 2019

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Chinese archaeologist Fan Jinshi has been studying the Dunhuang caves since the early 1960s, first as an archaeology undergraduate from Peking University, then as a conservationist. Photo: Fan Jinshi Chinese archaeologist Fan Jinshi has been studying the Dunhuang caves since the early 1960s, first as an archaeology undergraduate from Peking University, then as a conservationist. Photo: Fan Jinshi
Chinese archaeologist Fan Jinshi has been studying the Dunhuang caves since the early 1960s, first as an archaeology undergraduate from Peking University, then as a conservationist. Photo: Fan Jinshi
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