The 26th Shan-Hai Guan Cultural Heritage Academic Conference

The Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology hosted the 26th Shan-Hai Guan Cultural Heritage Academic Conference on May 28 (Thursday) and May 29 (Friday), 2026, at Room DS120, Building 2 of the College of Humanities and Sciences.

This year’s conference, titled “Shan-Hai in Dialogue: A Cultural Heritage Mosaic in Formation,” draws inspiration from both Eastern and Western perspectives on diversity. It integrates the Daoist concept from the Dao De Jing—“All things flourish together, and I observe their return”—with the Canadian concept of the “Cultural Mosaic.” Together, these ideas emphasize that culture is not formed from a single origin but is instead a mosaic composed of traditional craftsmanship, local customs, urban and rural landscapes, and ethnic cultures.

The conference centers on both tangible and intangible cultural heritage as its core framework, aiming to explore the diversity of cultural assets as well as the challenges and opportunities brought about by environmental change and technological transformation.

The two-day conference was held daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., featuring keynote speeches and academic paper presentations.

Invited keynote speakers included Associate Professor Shih Teng-Teng of the Department of Visual Communication Design at China University of Technology, who discussed digital translation and cultural heritage research through AI technologies; Ms. Ho Mei-Hui, Director of the Xiluo Ecological Museum and a local cultural practitioner in Yunlin, who shared experiences in community revitalization and place-based development in Xiluo; Professor Jung Fang-Chieh of National Tsing Hua University, who presented international trends in cultural heritage management and education, helping connect Taiwan’s heritage field with global perspectives; and Professor Shao Ching-Wang of National Taiwan University of Arts, who examined Ye Wang’s Koji pottery works from a scientific perspective.

The paper presentations were organized into four main themes: local knowledge and technical standards, urban development, architectural research and revitalization, and preventive conservation and intervention for outdoor cultural artifacts.

The local knowledge session covered topics such as rural settlement development and Wuying folk beliefs in Lugu Township, Nantou, as well as a reassessment of cultural heritage restoration procedures, addressing both settlement-based religious studies and technical standards in conservation practice.

The urban development section included studies on the redevelopment of Jingcheng District in Taipei during the Japanese colonial period and the development of the Houli irrigation canal, spanning urban evolution in both northern and central Taiwan.

The architectural research and revitalization track explored stone-built architecture in coastal northern Taiwan settlements and the integration of virtual and physical exhibition design at the Zhongshan Hall. These studies demonstrated how technological advancement enables new forms of heritage activation.

The preventive conservation and intervention session included discussions on rapid 3D modeling and material analysis of three stone tablets at Tainan Confucius Temple, as well as reinforcement techniques for cultural artifacts such as the Wu Wen-Ren and Zixian Liangsan flags at Wudong Nantian Temple in Penghu, focusing on conservation technologies for historical objects.

The poster presentations covered topics including underwater cultural heritage, folk traditions, removal techniques for paper-based polychrome painting backings, women in letterpress printing, and regional studies on administrative boundaries and place-name changes.

Vice President Huang Shih-Hui of National Yunlin University of Science and Technology stated that the establishment of the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation holds significant symbolic value for heritage preservation and contributes to the development of a vibrant cultural base. He noted that the Shan-Hai Guan Conference not only provides a platform for academic exchange and research dissemination but also serves as an important channel for gathering insights and feedback on Yunlin’s cultural development, with impacts extending beyond Yunlin to the broader Taiwan context.

Dean Lee Yeh-Cheng of the College of Humanities and Sciences emphasized that the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation plays a leading role in the field of cultural heritage in Taiwan. He noted that the conference provides a valuable academic platform, and this year’s theme “Shan-Hai in Dialogue” encourages discussions grounded in diversity, inclusiveness, and equality in cultural heritage development.

Chairperson Lin Lan-Dong of the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation expressed gratitude to all distinguished guests for their participation. He noted that the department, as the only higher education institution in Taiwan encompassing both tangible and intangible cultural heritage studies, has long been dedicated to cultivating professional talent in the field. Now in its 26th year, the Shan-Hai Guan Conference represents not only a major academic event in the heritage community but also a testament to the department’s academic depth, practical engagement, and enduring resilience.

The Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology hopes that through this platform, more individuals passionate about cultural heritage will participate in the conference. Whether through paper presentations or keynote lectures, the event aims to foster meaningful exchange, enabling participants to bring insights back to their respective fields. This aligns with the conference’s overarching theme of a “cultural mosaic of integration.”