Public art breathes new life into heritage

Taishan, in Guangdong province, has long prospered from the efforts of its people who ventured overseas to live and work. Like many coastal areas of Guangdong, it was a major source of overseas Chinese communities, many of whom sent money home to build schools, ancestral halls and houses that blend Chinese and Western architectural styles.

Lide School was one of the many legacies of these efforts. Its former site has since been transformed by architects into a public cultural center featuring open-air theaters, galleries, studios and cafes, connecting past and present.

Today, it has become the stage for Qiaojian 2026: Art Across Taishan, a public art week that blends architecture with landscapes, and local history and collective memory with everyday life. Featuring site-specific works by 10 artists from China and abroad, the event integrates art into Taishan's natural surroundings and cultural heritage.