On June 14, China's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, the online launch event and creative sharing session for the world cultural heritage story picture book Growing Up in Pingyao were jointly hosted by the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Centre for World Heritage, Tongji University, and relevant institutions, attracting 2,685 online viewers.

The picture book centers on the world heritage value of Pingyao Ancient City. Through three volumes - The Apprentice of the Draft Bank, Going to the Temple Fair Together, and Going on Night Patrol with Grandpa - it vividly showcases the city's history as a financial hub, its vibrant urban life, and its exquisite urban planning from the perspectives of finance, folk customs, and architecture. The creative team spent five years and conducted five in-depth research trips to Pingyao. They transformed professional heritage knowledge into engaging stories and visuals for children, and innovatively incorporated Master Classes and interactive games, aiming to bring the heritage to life and ensure its transmission to future generations.

Since 1982, Tongji University has been deeply involved in the protection of urban and rural historical and cultural heritage, establishing a comprehensive protection - inheritance - revitalization model. It emphasizes the importance of bringing cultural heritage into the daily lives of the general public. Tongji Urban Planning and Design Institute pointed out that heritage conservation is not just about preserving physical structures but also about safeguarding lifestyles and cultural genes. The picture book project represents a fresh attempt to popularize and promote the cultural heritage of Pingyao Ancient City.

For Pingyao, this picture book serves as a cultural bridge to the future. It helps plant the seeds of heritage conservation in the minds of young people and inspires a deeper love for Pingyao's culture among the public. By breaking through the barriers of time and space, it enables the ancient city to truly regain its vitality and capture the public's imagination. From the perspective of historical conservation, as the public nature of cultural heritage becomes increasingly prominent, public participation has become a crucial aspect. This picture book project builds a bridge between heritage and the public, fully leveraging the social, economic, and cultural benefits of heritage. It promotes the creative transformation and innovative development of cultural heritage, offering new ideas and models for the protection of historical and cultural heritage.