Wenchuan Earthquake Museum
The Conceptual Planning
State Administration of Cultural Heritage
People’s Republic of China
21 March 2010

Survival in Disaster and Revival in Remains

In Memory of the Victims of Wenchuan Earthquake
A tribute to the volunteers and rescue teams

2008年5月12日14时28分，以四川省汶川县为中心发生了里氏8.0级、最大烈度11度的特大地震，影响范围波及四川、甘肃、陕西、重庆等地区，上千公里之外的北京、上海等地
都有明显震感。震后仍余震不断，剧烈、频发的地震还陆续诱发了山体滑坡、崩塌、泥石流、堰塞湖等次生灾害，中国遭遇了新中国成立以来破坏性最强、波及范围最广、持续时
间最长的一次地震。
The 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which measured at 8.0 Ms and 8.3 Mw according to theChina Seismological Bureau, occurred at 14:28 on 12 May 2008 in Sichuan province ofChina. It was also known as the Wenchuan earthquake, after the earthquake's epicenterin Wenchuan County in Sichuan province. Gangsu Province, Shaanxi Province wereaffected. The earthquake was felt as far away as Beijing and Shanghai, where officebuildings swayed with the tremor. The earthquake was also felt in nearby countries.
Strong aftershocks continue to hit the area even months after the main quake, causing
new casualties and damages including landslides, mudslides and quake lakes. It is thedeadliest and worst earthquake since the founding of the People's Republic of China in1949.

NUMBERS••••

Degree: 8.0
Seriously affected area: 500,000 km2
Most destructed area: 130,000 km2
Time: 71 seconds

NUMBERS
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Homeless: 5 million
Killed: 69,226
Injured: 374,643
Missing: 17,923
Volunteers: 200,000
Military force: 137,000
Donation: 59,347,000,000(RMB)

LOCATION

••

地震及其次生灾害给受灾地区人民群众的生命财产造成了巨大的损失，人们的生产、生活遭受了前所未有的打击和破坏，受灾地区波及四川、甘肃、陕西、重庆、
云南等10省(区、市)的417个县(市、区)，总面积约50万平方公里，其中极重灾区和重灾区51个县(市、区)，总面积13万平方公里，受灾人口已达数千万人，近7万人失去了宝贵的生命，2000余万间房屋损毁，北川县城、汶川县映秀镇等严重受灾城镇几乎被夷为平地。基础设施也同样受损严重。震中地区周边的15条国道省
道干线公路和宝成线等5条铁路中断，电力、通信、供水等系统大面积瘫痪；工矿商贸企业大面积停产，机关、学校、医院等损毁严重；部分农田、农业设施被毁。
这场造成巨大破坏的自然灾害，使国家与人民面临着巨大考验。
The earthquake and the secondary disasters caused severe casualties and property
damages. 417 counties (city and region) of ten provinces and municipalities wereaffected, covering Sichuan Province, Gansu Province, Shaanxi Province, and Yunnan
Province, occupying a total of 500,000 km2. In the 51 counties of the most destructedregion and the destructed region with a total area of 130,000 km2, the quake caused
around 70,000 known deaths and 200 million destroyed houses. Beichuan County andYingxiu Town were devastated. In addition, infrastructure including 15 highways andthe Baocheng railway were damaged. Electricity and water supply, as well as
communication were cut down. Many of the enterprises were closed, while offices,
schools and hospitals were destroyed. Some of the agricultural land and facilities werealso ruined.

LOCATION ——Beichuan County

LOCATION

Beichuan County, before earthquake

LOCATION•

Beichuan County
after earthquake

LOCATION• Beichuan County
after earthquake•在人类的发展历史过程中，自然力量一直对人类社会有巨大影响，文明的诞生和发展，甚至历史上一些古代文明的消亡都与自然有紧密的关系，从某种意义上讲，人类的文明发展史就是人类不断
了解、适应、改造、利用自然的历史。汶川大地震是人类历史上罕见的自然灾害，是人类共同面对的灾难和伤痛，它所造成的地
质、地貌巨变是最鲜活、最有力的大自然物证，蕴涵着大量有关
地质、灾害、防灾抗灾等多门科学的信息，更是人类文明与自然关系的见证。
• Nature has been playing an important role in the development of
human civilization. To some extent, history is the process ofunderstanding of, adaptation to and use of nature by mankind.
Wenchuan Earthquake is a natural disaster causing a lot of pain andsufferings. In the meantime, it is a lively example showing therelationship between man and nature, displaying plenty of informationsuch as geology, disaster-preparedness measures and disaster relief.

•面对灾难，中国政府体现出了高度责任感。面对灾难，中国人民体现出了面对困境的勇气、力量和决心。面对灾难，世界各国政
府和人民也对中国的灾情和抗灾行动给予极大的关注和支持，用实际行动体现了尊重生命、人性关怀的伟大光辉，同时也证明了
全人类必需携起手来，才能度过一次又一次危机，共同实现生存与发展。这些是是全人类共有的精神财富。此次巨大的自然灾害留下的物质与精神财富，具有突出的普遍价值，是全人类共有的宝贵遗产，我们有责任也必须将这些遗产永世留存。
• The Chinese government received credit for its responsiveness in therescuing efforts and its respect for human rights. Immediately after theearthquake, the Chinese Government and the Chinese people went allout to carry out the rescue operation and disaster relief for victims. The
tangible and intangible heritage brought about by the earthquake is thecommon heritage of mankind, which needs to be preserved forever.
Building an earthquake museum will be one of the best ways tocommemorate record and transmit the heritage of earthquake, which
will be a significant task in the reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES——MEMORIALOBJECTIVES——HOPE• Nature

OBJECTIVES——HOPE• Life• 中国是世界上地震灾害最为多发的国家之一， 7%的土
地承担了世界上1/3的强震。China is one of the countries
facing with most frequent earthquakes. 1/3 of the severe
earthquakes in the world happen on the territory.

OBJECTIVES——SCIENCE
• 7%
• 1/3

Science popularization and education of earthquakes•

但截至目前，关于地震等自然灾害遗迹遗物的保护、展示和教育的公共设施少之又少，与其他面临同样问题的国家相比相去甚远。
地震遗址的留存及相应的以国家级文化与自然遗产形式进行的保护与展示，能够在缅怀过去、面向未来、宣扬民族精神的同时，推动地震科学和防灾知识的普及，促进国家防灾应急机制的不断建设和完善。
• However, in China, public facilities/buildings presenting the disastersite and heritage is very limited, which is far behind other countries
with similar problems. The preservation of earthquake site and heritage
as national cultural and natural heritage can contribute to thepromotion of nation unity, popularization of earthquake science andinformation, as well as improvement of national emergency response
mechanism.

PLANNING•

因此，有必要将全部具有一定价值的地震遗迹作为一个完整的遗产体系加以保护。所谓的“完整遗产体系”是以空间尺度为主来构建，以四川、甘肃、陕西等省（市）约13万平方公里地震重度受灾区域为宏观尺度，以汶川县、北川县、绵阳市等构成的地震灾
害核心区域为中观尺度，以北川县城、汶川县映秀镇等遭受严重损毁的县镇为微观尺度。以上三级空间尺度共同构成了地震遗址
的“完整遗产体系”即汶川地震遗址群。
• Therefore, it is necessary to preserve an earthquake site of certain
value as a complete heritage system. A so-called “complete heritagesystem” is a spatial concept, with the macro scope of 500,000 km2
earthquake-affected area spanning through Sichuan, Gansu,
Shaanxi and other Provinces, with the middle scope of 130,000
km2 earthquake-destroyed area covering cities and counties, andwith the micro scope of earthquake-devastated area covering
towns and villages. The above-mentioned three spatial levels
constitute the “complete heritage system”, i.e. the WenchuanEarthquake Heritage Sites.

•根据目前初步的比较分析，宜选择受灾最为严重的北川县城地震遗址作为遗产体系的核心，以此为依托建立地震遗址博物馆。北川县城在此次灾害中几乎被夷为平地，人员伤亡与经济损失巨大。
北川县城地震遗迹具有很强的多样性、典型性和代表性，以及突出事件集中等特点，并已确定异地重建，地震遗址将整体保护下来。配合擂鼓镇等其他馆舍建设地点，在北川建立地震遗址博物
馆是最佳的选择。According to the preliminary analysis, the mostseriously destroyed Beichuan County earthquake site can be chosen as
the center of the heritage system, based on which the Earthquake Site
Museum can be established. Beichuan County was devastated by theearthquake causing a lot of casualties and property losses. Decision
has been made to reconstruct the county in another place to preserve
the area as an earthquake site. Combined with the museum architecture
in Leigu Town, Beihcuan County is the best place to be considered asearthquake site museum.

•位于擂鼓镇的博物馆陈列馆舍区及服务区，与位于板凳桥的新北川县城，协同构成了从绵阳市到地震遗址博物馆的递进序列，将博物馆与重要的交通通道联系在一起，构成未来发展良好的区位
优势。馆舍及服务区选址（擂鼓镇）虽位于地震带，但地质条件较好，通过抗震设计，可以满足建设工程要求。擂鼓镇的用地较
为开阔，能够满足多空间尺度、多建设形式的国家级遗址博物馆
的建设需求。Together with the new Beichuan County inBandengqiao, the museum exhibition halls and the service area to belocated in Leigu Town link the earthquake museum with the Mianyang
City as well as important road connections. Though the exhibition halls
and service area will be within the earthquake zone, the geologicalcondition and anti-earthquake design will ensure its safety. In addition,
the identified area for the museum architecture in Leigu Town meetsthe standards to build a national level museum.

•

地震遗址博物馆在内容上，将包括北川县城整体地震遗址展示区、具有代表性或纪念意义的重要遗迹点和片区、集中保存和展示各种实物资料的陈列馆、缅怀遇难者的纪念设施和具有参与性的科普中心及科研中心。同时，在展示陈列的内容上也将充分考虑地
域文化和民族传统及当地居民的情感因素，将民族文化遗产和生态环境保护，以及区域经济社会、文化的恢复发展统筹考虑，纳入灾后重建的总体规划。 The earthquake museum will cover thewhole Beichuan County as display area of the earthquake site,
important exhibition spots or area under particular protection, display
halls of objects, commemorative buildings for the victims, andinteractive Science Popularization Center and Research Center. In themeantime, local culture, traditions of ethnic groups and emotional
factors of local residents will be taken into consideration in thearrangements of the objects. Also the protection of cultural heritage
and bio-environment, as well as development of social economy andculture will be included in the overall reconstruction plan.

PLANNING——Accessibility

PLANNING——Framework
Earthquake Site MuseumExhibition
HallEarthquake Site Exhibition

ScienceCenterCore AreaResearchCenter
Commemorati
ve Buildings“Revival ” Area

Service andOffice
Buildings(Earthquake Site Museum Framework )PLANNING——Boundary

PLANNING——Layout•

地震遗址博物馆无论从宏观规划还是到细节设计，都应贯彻和体
现“废墟中重生，磨砺中崛起”的主题，告慰逝去的生命、抚慰生者的心灵。线路规划上将通过科学排列遗迹点、合理设置功能区
域等手段引导观众情绪从悲痛、凝重过渡到释然、坚定和充满希望。设计上将利用有控制的植物生长，在遗迹区内制造重新萌发
生命的动人细节，表达和传递博物馆的主题。In terms of overall
framework and details, the design of the earthquake museum shouldreflect the theme of “Survival in Disaster and Revival in Remains”.
The visiting route will scientifically link site/spots and functional areas
to lead the audience from grief and silence to relief and hope. Plants
will also be used to help convey the theme of the museum.

PLANNING——Involvement & Benefit of Local
Community

PLANNING——Emotional Guided Route•

整体保护、重点展现——遗产的保护，不仅要保护文物本身，还要保护文物的背景环境，这是体现“原真性、完整性”的重要内容。北川县城地震遗址最大的价值
在于将城镇整体及周边地震、地质灾害的自然环境凝固为历史瞬间，能够将地震的巨大破坏力以及灾后体现的人类精神传达给今人和后人。因此，真实、完整地
留住具有重要意义和价值的全部文物、遗迹、遗址和相关环境要比个体遗迹的展
示具有更大的震撼力和感召力。扭曲变形的房屋、被山体滑坡推挤成碎片的建筑、街边倒下的汽车、摩托车、甚至街上的大石块和路面的印记都应尽量作为一个整体原址保护、保持原貌。这样原址、完整保存和展示一个大尺度的地震遗址，有极强的现场感和真实感，能够使人们更加体会到自然的力量、生命的价值和民族的精神。Overall protection with highlighted exhibition-the protection of cultural
heritage does not only refer to the cultural object itself but also the surroundingenvironment, which is an important part of authenticity and integrity. The mostimportant value of the Beichuan County earthquake site is to exhibit the historicalmoment of the happening of the natural disaster, the devastating power of theearthquake, and the unity of mankind which shall be passed on to future generations.
Therefore, it is more significant to preserve the valuable cultural heritage, trace and site
as well as the surrounding environment than only preserving the heritage itself. Twisted
houses, crashed buildings by landslide, broken automobiles in the street, large rocks
falling down from the mountain, and traces on the road should be kept as an overall site
at its original place. In this way the onsite earthquake museum will bring visitors genuine
experiences of the power of nature, value of life and sprite of the nation.

PLANNING——Dynamic & Highlighted
Exhibition

PLANNING ——Dynamic & Highlighted
Exhibition

PLANNING ——Dynamic & Highlighted
Exhibition

PLANNING ——Dynamic & Highlighted
Exhibition•

如此大面积和大规模的遗址区，不能采用单一的保护原则和手段，
而是要区分一般遗址区和重要遗迹点、遗迹片区。根据评估和认
定重点保护对象原则，在所有遗址中选取有代表性、有典型性或具有特殊意义的遗迹点和遗迹片区（比如北川中学原址、幸存者
被困和获救地点、地震断层崖、县城原某个典型社区或一条街道等）作为重点保护和展示的遗迹点或遗迹片区，除此以外的北川县城地震遗址整体作为一般遗址区。可以说是整体展现，“面”上
设“点”。 For such large scale site, various means of preservation
methods shall be used to classify ordinary site and major site and spot.
According to evaluation and protection principles, typical and specialspots/area (e.g. former address of Beichuan Middle School, places
where the survivors were rescued, seismic fault, and former address ofa typical community or street) shall be chosen as major spot/area underprotection. The rest shall be classified as ordinary site. In this way thewhole site is presented with major spot/area highlighted.

•文化和谐、区域发展——这一地区自古就是中华文明西南区域发展和西南各民族
文化交融的地带，著名学者费孝通先生称之为‘藏彝走廊’，童恩正先生称之为‘边
地半月形文化传播地带’。北川是唯一的羌族自治县，聚居了除羌人外众多少数民族。地震遗址博物馆的建设要充分考虑地方文化个性与特色，使当地土著居民的文化传统和民族习惯与遗址相协调，实现文化和谐。例如一般羌族每个村寨的山
后都有一片树林，被视为山神之所在。规划时将在遗址区内选取原羌人集中点，在其周边种树标识体现这一民族信仰；在羌人信仰系统中杉树、柏树等具有神圣
意义，可以将这些民族特色植物作景观植物之用。Harmony in culture andregional development-since ancient time this region has been the region for culture
exchange for ethnic groups in the southwest. The famous scholar Mr. FEI Xiaotong
commented this region as “Corridor for Zang and Yi People”, while Mr. TONG
Enzheng used the phrase of “Half-Moon Shaped Region for Culture Transmission in rimland”. Beinchuan County is the only Qiang People’s Autonomous County in which otherethnic groups also live. Culture harmony should be emphasized when building theearthquake museum in consideration of local culture. For example, the forest behind themountain of each Qiang village is considered as a sacred place where god lives in.
Therefore in the site the heavily populated area of Qiang people shall be identified byplanting fir frees or cypress which are worshipped by the Qiang people.

PLANNING——Local Culture••••

博物馆的使命在于记忆、教育与传播。Museums are aiming at recording, educatingand transmitting.
汶川大地震是一个国家的灾难，亦是整个人类的灾难。人类的发展史和文明史的本身，就是一个不断适应自然，与自然和谐共处的历史。但是，每次与自然的交锋，都带给人类深切的反省，反思人类与自然如何和谐共处。“人地关系”、“可持续发展”、“生态文明”等与人类生存发展息息相关的重要问题已成为当代和未来必须要思考和解决主导性内容。The Wenchuan Earthquake is not only a disaster for one
nation but also for the world. The history of man is a balancing relationship between
man and nature. How to keep the harmonious relationship with nature should never beforgotten. Issues including man and the Nature, sustainable development and ecocivilization need to be taken into serious consideration from now on.
在经历了人类现代历史上罕见的重大自然灾害，我们汲取的经验和教训也已成为全人类共有精神财富。建立地震遗址博物馆，是中国为全人类的发展应尽的义务与责任，是我们必需完成的使命。Lessons have been learned from the natural disaster
which have become a common heritage. Establishment of the earthquake site museum isthe task and obligation to be fulfilled by China.
建设全世界第一座完整保留地震原址的博物馆，将成为人类历史上一座生存与发展的永恒纪念碑。The Wenchuan Earthquake Museum will be the first one worldwide
to preserve the whole earthquake site, which will be an immortal milestone in thehistory.

THEME• Survival In Disaster• Revival In Remains

Team Members••Mr.Liu Huabin
Director of Divison of Technology &StandardizationState Administration ofCultural HeritagePeople's Republic of China••Ms. Li Bei
Director of Museum department .Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau•

Ms.Lu Jie
CuratorTangshan Museum. He Bei Province•••••••••

Ms.Ma Yuanchuan
Curator6th May Fire Memorial of Hei Longjiang Province

Mr.Fu Yonghai
Assistant/Restorer
China Academy of Cultural Heritage• Contact Info: LHB@SACH.GOV.CN• Thank you for your attention!