A question of culture

TV quiz show aims to shine a spotlight on our ancient heritage, Wang Kaihao reports.

What is the oldest known cultural relic with an inscription of the word zhongguo (China)? Which important artifact witnessed the origins of acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine? When was the earliest known dated Chinese printed work created?

The answers: A 3,000-year-old bronze vessel known as He Zun, unearthed in 1963 in Baoji, Shaanxi province, has the 122-character inscription of the word zhongguo; a Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) figurine of lacquerware found in 2013 in Mianyang, Sichuan province, was a clear guide for medical practitioners to find the right position for acupuncture; and the Diamond Sutra printed in 868 remains evidence of the cultural prosperity of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

The latter was lost overseas and is now housed at the British Library.

The questions and answers are from a new quiz show, where contestants are urged to think quickly and audiences get to know more about the country's old civilization that is reflected in its cultural heritage.

The 12-episode show Zhongguo Guobao Dahui ("Chinese conference of national treasures") began airing on Sept 4 on Channel 2 of China Central Television, with a new episode airing every Saturday.

Coproduced by China Media Group, to which CCTV is affiliated, and the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the program lives up to its grand name.