Growing Up at the Heritage Conservation Site: A Record of the 2024-2025 Pingyao International Architecture Camp

When Global Youth Met Pingyao's Ancient Architecture: During the 2024-2025 Bubbler Art summer camps, a group of young participants from around the world worked together to "write a new spring" for ancient buildings.

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What happens when a group of Gen Z international youth personally restore a real Chinese ancient building? Sweat and laughter amidst bricks and tiles, a collision of inspiration across civilizations, and a brand new story of inheritance.

In the summer of 2024 and 2025, Bubbler Art and its partners led students from China, France, Mexico, and other countries back to Pingyao, Shanxi. Over two years, they used their hands as pens and sweat as ink to complete the "continuation of life" for two ancient structures beneath ancient architectural walls. This is a look back on those shining days.

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Chapter 1: Camp Starts! 'Intern Doctors' for Ancient Buildings

Site: Ming Dynasty dwelling in Dongquan Village, Pingyao Mission: Emergency restoration of Qing Dynasty residences, gatehouses, and walls.

For these students, the project was a real challenge. Guided by experts and local craftman, they started from the basics: identifying the ancient bricks, learning the principles of "one trowel of mortar, one brick," and understanding the mysteries of layered D ougong brackets.

"I thought walling was simple, until I tried it myself. I learned the level and plumb of each brick test immense patience and skill." - Chinese participant @Xiao Yu "Cleaning mortar from old bricks, I felt I could touch the hand warmth of the craftsman from centuries past." - French participant @Herwann

From clumsy to proficient, from observing to leading, the students gradually became true "intern doctors," diagnosing and healing the wounds of these aging structures.

Chapter 2: In the Global Village, They Connect Through 'Passion'

Architecture is coagulated music, and the global youth made this music resonate with cross-cultural harmonies.

The daytime labor became their shared "language," while the nighttime sharing sessions turned into a carnival of ideas. Mexico's Sara shared the grandeur of Maya pyramids, France's Herwann explained how Gothic flying buttresses "pierce the sky," and Chinese students elucidated the wisdom of Chinese timber frames where "walls fall but the house stands."

"What amazed me most is that Pingyao is a 'living' ancient city. It's full of life, completely different from preserving sites just for viewing in my country!" - Mexican participant @Sara

Amid shared work and daily life, language barriers broke down through laughter and collaboration. Cultural differences became sources of mutual curiosity and learning. The participants gathered for their love of heritage and broadened their horizons through their differences.

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Chapter 3: Growth Notes Sweat and Glory

"The sense of achievement is tangible."

The pride welling up from seeing a leaning gatehouse restored upright, or a broken wall rebuilt brick by brick, was unmatched by any classroom grade.

"As an architecture student, this was my first time applying textbook knowledge of 'load-bearing structures' to real conservation. I deeply admire the skill and wisdom of Chinese artisans." - Chinese participant @Emma "This experience taught me about Ming history and local culture, and confirmed my desire to work in archaeology and heritage preservation. It's so meaningful!" - French participant @Herwann

Every drop of sweat strengthened the ancient buildings; every act of cooperation planted a seed for cultural heritage preservation in the participants' hearts.

Finale: Their Achievement - Revitalizing the Ancient

In 2024-2025, the results were as follows:

Architectural Rebirth: The team successfully took part in restored Ming dwellings, gatehouses, and walls, stabilizing an endangered ancient house.

Bridge of Friendship: The project was selected for the UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers program, becoming a key platform for Sino-French and global cultural heritage exchange.

Seeds for the Future: A deep respect and love for cultural heritage was implanted in every participant, who will continue their journey as "guardians of cultural heritage" around the world.

Conclusion & Outlook

Time will pass, but the walls they rebuilt together will endure. The Pingyao International Architecture Camp was not just a summer activity, but a profound journey of growth, friendship, and civilizational dialogue.

Appreciation is extended to all participants, teachers, and partners; to the Ruan Yisan Urban Conservation Foundation (Pingyao Research Center), and Pingyao Yide Hotel; and to journalists from Shanxi Daily , Xinhua Net .

Youth Action for Heritage Preservation. In summer 2026, the organizers hope to welcome new participants before the next ancient structure.

[Bubbler Art] Follow Bubbler Art for more updates on art research and public-interest camp information!

Planning: Ye Maojie Writing: Ye Maojie Editing: Liu Xuling, Chen Xinyi Photography: Liu Xuling, Yan Jie Field Records: Shen Youhong, Li Xintong Logistics: Xia Ensheng, Ma Yiyang Simultaneous Interpretation: Shen Bo'an, Ye Maojie On-site Guidance: Ji Taiping, Ding Feng, Shao Shuai

Members: Liu Xuling (Concordia International School Shanghai), Ma Yiyang (Shanghai Experimental School East Campus), Amelie Maria Zuyan Messer (Germany), Melita Maria Zuyu Messer (Germany), Ye Maojie (Shanghai Pinghe School), Zhou Ruotian (Singapore), Shen Bo'an (Shanghai YK Pao School), Li Xintong (Shanghai Experimental School East Campus), Shen Youhong (Shanghai Experimental School East Campus), Chen Xinyi (Shangnan Middle School South Campus), Huang Yanjia (Admitted to USC in 2025), Xia Ensheng (SSBS Zhongxin School), and others.
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