Displaying the past gets a brighter future

Revitalization for tours

Before Zhang's involvement, the museum only received about 26,000 visits annually.

To revitalize the museum, Zhang led a team to develop three versions of audio guides that fit audiences of all age groups.

"For instance, we have one that offers simplified explanations for children. To appeal to young people, we invited cultural celebrities to record the tour instructions," Zhang says.

In the initial state of the exhibition design, Zhang listened to audience feedback and, for each significant year in Guo's life, his team marked Guo's accomplishments.

To highlight the exhibition's theme and emphasize Guo's expertise in astronomy and geography, the upper part of the hall features a screen that continuously displays a star map. Below, a bronze model showcases the topography and river-lake system of Beijing.

Water level changes at sluice gates are vividly demonstrated through visual representations to show how cargo ships navigate the canal.

Additionally, Zhang has staged multiple themed temporary exhibitions, such as those on flowers and cycling lanes along the Grand Canal, to spice up the visitor experience.

"Tourists from areas in the canal's passing have come and visited," Zhang says.

"Many of our visitors call or leave messages before holidays to ask about the events we plan to hold," he adds.

To date, the museum has managed to pack in more than 100,000 visits annually, with daily tourist visits peaking at 1,400.

"Before taking on the role of the museum's executive director, my knowledge of Guo was quite limited, based only on brief mentions in history textbooks about the Yuan Dynasty," says Zhang, who has been working in museums for over a decade.

"I have come to understand Guo much better and have developed a deeper affection for this small museum," he adds.