Oracle Bones on the Metro
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- April 30, 2025
- 6:47 am
Zhengzhou, April 23 — On the 30th World Book Day, a special metro train filled with the charm of ancient Chinese writing set off from Zhengzhou Metro Line 1’s Zijing Mountain Station.
Themed “Words from the Oracle, Reading Beyond Time”, the event transformed the daily commute into a moving celebration of culture, language, and learning.
Ancient Scripts Meet Modern Rhythms
At 10 a.m., a clear, youthful voice echoed through the station concourse:
“When the youth are wise, the nation is wise; when the youth are strong, the nation is strong.”
It marked the start of a lively cultural flash event. Travelers were greeted by traditional dances, melodic recitations, and short theatrical performances that blended classical grace with modern spirit.
Stacks of bright red mystery boxes and zodiac-themed oracle bone prints caught the eyes of passing commuters. The walls glowed with the words “Words from the Oracle, Reading Beyond Time”, while volunteers handed out bookmarks, books, and mugs designed with ancient Chinese characters.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this,” said Mr. Meng from Sanmenxia, holding his newly received mystery box. “I read daily through the Xuexi Qiangguo platform — it’s my window to knowledge. Events like this make learning feel alive.”
When Reading Becomes a Journey
Nearby, 78-year-old Mr. Liu spontaneously recited the ancient poem The Song of the Great Wind:
“The great wind rises, the clouds fly high…”
His deep, resonant voice drew a warm round of applause — a moment where the joy of reading truly filled the station.
Just after 11 a.m., the highlight of the day arrived: the Oracle Bone Themed Metro Train rolled into the station.
Stepping inside felt like entering a living museum — walls covered with oracle bone inscriptions, calligraphic evolutions, and artistic designs that traced the journey from ancient scripts to modern Chinese characters.
Docents from the National Museum of Chinese Writing guided passengers through the story of how written language shaped Chinese civilization — from “What makes a home” to “What defines a nation.”
Many commuters paused mid-journey to listen, take photos, and reflect.
“It’s amazing,” said passenger Jiang Zehui. “To see a metro turned into a space for culture and reading — that’s something truly worth celebrating.”
Culture on the Move
The event was jointly organized by the Henan “Xuexi Qiangguo” Learning Platform, the National Museum of Chinese Writing, and the Zhengzhou Metro Group, with support from local media and schools.
Since the launch of China’s first Cultural Heritage Learning Base at the museum last year, multiple projects have brought traditional Chinese writing closer to the public.
This special World Book Day celebration took that mission one stop further — literally — bringing the beauty of oracle bone script and the joy of reading to thousands of daily travelers.
As the metro glided through the city, it carried more than passengers — it carried stories, wisdom, and the timeless message that reading keeps civilization alive.
