China’s centuries‑old murals and rock carvings are under siege from soaring summer temperatures, prompting conservationists to step up efforts to protect fragile heritage sites.
At Yongle Palace in Shanxi Province, built during the Yuan Dynasty, conservation specialist Bai Yongqin monitors minute changes in temperature and humidity that could damage the palace’s celebrated murals. For more than two decades, Bai has focused on preventive care, stressing that conservation means acting before problems become irreversible.
High heat and humidity pose a serious risk. Rising temperatures accelerate the ageing of pigment layers, making them brittle and prone to fading. Moisture can soften the mud‑based ground beneath the murals, while salts migrate and crystallise, creating cracks and flaking. Bai warns that repeated cycles of heat and cooling stretch and pull the layers, leading to gradual detachment.
The challenge is not confined to Shanxi. At the Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing, many statues are exposed outdoors. Research fellow Chen Huili explains that prolonged heat alters moisture inside the rock, expanding cracks, while heavy rainstorms erode surfaces and destabilise sections. Protective shelters and reinforced supports are now in place to shield the carvings from wind and rain.
Experts emphasise that conservation must be integrated, safeguarding both murals and the structures that house them. The principle is minimal intervention: stabilise damage, slow deterioration, and preserve historical information rather than over‑restoring.
The urgency is heightened by growing tourism. Yongle Palace has seen rising visitor numbers, boosted by cultural interest and popular media such as the game Black Myth: Wukong. Zhou Xueying of Nanjing University warns that without careful preservation, future generations may inherit faded relics instead of vibrant murals.
For those working at these sites, summer is a race against time. Behind every preserved colour and carving lies the quiet dedication of conservators determined to protect China’s heritage from the relentless pressures of climate and crowds.
About the Author
