Shanxi province, often hailed as an "above-ground cultural relics museum", boasts 531 nationally protected ancient structures, the highest number in China. These invaluable ancient buildings, sculptures, and murals encapsulate millennia of history and artistic achievement. Yet, due to their immovable nature, they usually have to wait for visitors to come to them.

"It is our responsibility as cultural professionals to bring these immovable national treasures to a wider audience," said An Hai, deputy director of the Shanxi Institute for the Preservation of Ancient Architecture and Painted Sculptures.

In 2021, the institute launched the Yongle Palace special exhibition as part of the "Walking Shanxi" initiative, which spread the artistic essence of the Yongle Palace across China. "The exhibition serves as a valuable example of how to harness display technology and operations, laying a solid foundation for systematically showcasing Shanxi's immovable cultural heritage," An Hai said.

The Xiaoxitian special exhibition is crowded with visitors. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Following the Yongle Palace exhibition, the institute unveiled the second "Walking Shanxi" project, the Xiaoxitian special exhibition, which opened in Beijing on Dec 22, 2025. Xiaoxitian, a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Buddhist temple in Shanxi's Xixian county, is one of the most celebrated examples of hanging sculpture art. However, its remote location has prevented many from being able to see it in person.

An Hai said that the Xiaoxitian exhibition will remain in Beijing until May 8, after which it will embark on a national tour. The next stop is confirmed to be Changsha Museum, with further collaborations planned with provincial museums in Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong, and other areas. 

The "Walking Shanxi" Guangsheng Temple special exhibition is also in the pipeline and is expected to debut at the Linfen Museum by the end of September. A systematic, ongoing touring exhibition framework for Shanxi's immovable cultural heritage is gradually taking shape.