Ecomuseums and Living Heritage in China: Reclaiming Memory and Identity

Ecomuseums, founded on the radical principle of community-led heritage, have transformed preservation practices across the globe. But what happens when this bottom-up model encounters a millennia-old, top-down social system? Ecomuseums and Living Heritage in China moves beyond theoretical debate to present a groundbreaking, empirical study of this very clash. This book narrates the compelling story of Malanyu, a community descended from the caretakers of the Qing Imperial Tombs. For centuries, these guardians preserved a sacred landscape through ritual and stewardship; today, their descendants are reclaiming that legacy by building their own ecomuseum. Through rich oral histories and participatory action research, the authors document this community’s journey to navigate state authority, revitalize collective memory, and assert its identity. The book offers a critical lens on heritage management in the Global South. It challenges the dominance of state-led, material-focused preservation by demonstrating how living heritage practices can foster sustainable and inclusive development. By bridging historical vernacular traditions with contemporary urbanist concerns, the book provides a new practical framework for community participation, specifically designed for the Chinese context but with profound implications for similar settings worldwide. Essential reading for scholars and practitioners in architecture and heritage studies, this work shows that heritage is not a relic to be preserved, but a dynamic process to be lived, a powerful negotiation of memory, identity, and place.