The Museumification of Immovable Cultural Heritage: Insights from the Jin Dynasty Sansheng Pagoda in China

Abstract

As urban spaces and cultural contexts continue to evolve, the conservation of immovable cultural heritage faces increasing challenges. This study adopts museumification as an extension of the living heritage continuity approach and examines how a religious monument can be re-embedded in contemporary social life. Using the Jin dynasty Sansheng (Three Saints) Pagoda in Qinyang City, Henan Province, as a case study, it analyzes the mechanisms through which museumification reshapes heritage value and public engagement. A three-dimensional analytical framework—field, space, and society—was developed, and data were collected through field observation, 205 questionnaire responses, and in-depth interviews with museum staff. The results show that museumification has enhanced the pagoda’s public visibility and symbolic meaning, strengthened local identity, and supported the transmission of historical knowledge. Visitors reported cultural pride, historical immersion, and emotional connection, demonstrating the museum’s role in maintaining the living continuity of the site. However, challenges such as limited exhibition space, insufficient narrative coherence, and the tendency for emotional experience to outweigh knowledge acquisition remain. Overall, the study offers empirical insights into the contemporary transformation of religious heritage and provides practical implications for conservation strategies based on museumification.