The Bronze Drum Cultural (Hechi) Protection Experimental Zone was recently selected for the proposed list of cultural ecology protection zones at the national level, according to an official statement.

According to an announcement of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on July 17, in order to strengthen the protection of intangible cultural heritage, six zones received approval to become cultural ecology protection zones of national level.

In 2012, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism approved the establishment of the Bronze Drum Cultural (Hechi) Protection Experimental Zone in the Hongshui River basin in Hechi, Guangxi. Since its establishment, it has not only been protecting bronze drum culture itself, but it has also been protecting the local cultural environment.

The experimental zone covers all of Hechi's 11 counties and districts. The core area includes Donglan, Nandan, and Tian'e counties, while the secondary core area includes Bama Yao autonomous county, Dahua Yao autonomous county, Du'an Yao autonomous county, and Huanjiang Maonan autonomous county. The extended area includes Jinchengjiang district, Yizhou district, Luocheng Mulam autonomous county, and Fengshan county.

People in Donglan county play bronze drums during the 2023 Maguai Festival celebrations. [Photo/guangxi.chinadaily.com.cn/hechi]