Guide helps Luoyang's ancient artifacts speak to a new generation

At the Luoyang Museum in Henan province, senior guide Zhang Linnan encounters a curious crowd every day.

Standing before centuries of history, visitors often pause to ask her: "What is this object called? How was it used? And how do you know?"

For Zhang, answering these questions has evolved into a lifelong mission. Over years of guiding diverse audiences through one of Henan's premier cultural landmarks, her approach to storytelling has undergone a profound transformation — reflecting the evolving expectations of museumgoers in China today.

When Zhang joined the Luoyang Museum in 2021 through a special talent recruitment channel following a competition, she was confident in her abilities. As a former TV presenter, learning lines had always been her strong suit.

Yet, the sheer scale of the institution quickly humbled her. "My goodness," she said. "The museum was so big, and the script was so thick."

She mastered the official text, but it did not take long to realize that memorizing lines was merely the starting point. As visitor demographics expanded, the standard script proved insufficient. Some visitors turned out to be domain experts themselves, frequently challenging her knowledge.

"I truly came to understand the saying that whenever three people walk together, one of them can be my teacher," Zhang said.

"In this profession, you have to keep learning throughout your life."

Beyond deepening her knowledge, Zhang adapted her tours to align with contemporary tourism trends, online viral topics, and modern visitor needs. Rather than delivering static lectures, the museum began prioritizing human-centered audience experiences.

A prime example is a pair of Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) painted pottery female figurines holding hands. Originally displayed inside a large shared showcase, visitors were forced to squat or kneel just to take photos.

Recognizing the inconvenience, museum leadership promptly relocated the artifacts to an independent glass case. When visitors later noted that glass reflections ruined their photographs, staff worked overnight to build a dedicated photo zone.

"We must put the visitor experience first," Zhang said. "It is a reflection of a people-centered approach, and it allows us to live up to the affection people have shown us."

To engage younger audiences who initially arrive after seeing viral relics on social media, the museum has introduced multi-dimensional experiences—from Russian and English guided tours and AR glasses to immersive night tours featuring live-action NPC interactions.

"When traditional Chinese culture is interpreted from a livelier and more down-to-earth perspective, it touches people more directly," Zhang observed. "Everyone can approach it from their own point of view and discover its distinctive appeal."

Ultimately, Zhang's professional evolution culminated in a deeper shift: moving beyond basic facts to convey the core values, social aesthetics, and emotional depth behind each artifact.

Through these historical objects, visitors begin to see the human feelings behind antiquity. "They realize ancient people were not dull or emotionless — their thoughts were actually very similar to ours," she noted.

For Zhang, walking through the galleries daily transformed abstract concepts into tangible reality. Broad cultural themes — such as the defining characteristics of Chinese civilization and the vivid history of exchanges, interactions, and integration among different ethnic groups — became clearly visible within the artifacts themselves.

"In the past, guided tours relied mainly on passing on knowledge. Now, people want to feel an emotional connection," Zhang said. "A tour is not just about outputting facts; visitors also want to see how the guide personally understands the city. Only when you truly believe in what you are saying will others believe you."