Chinese media spotlights Azerbaijani city of Shusha’s revival

China's official Xinhua News Agency has published an extensive feature on the Azerbaijani city of Shusha, in which the author Liu Chuchen highlighted the inscription "Checked. No mines." as a reminder that the city had been an armed conflict zone and is now recovering.

The article details how Shusha's restoration has preserved the city's historical character while integrating modern infrastructure, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

"While walking through Shusha, the Xinhua correspondent noticed that the restoration of historic quarters and cultural monuments has preserved the traditional street layout, local building materials and architectural features characteristic of Karabakh. New buildings also make extensive use of local stone and traditional architectural elements, combining them with modern engineering solutions and energy-efficient technologies. This approach avoids a sharp visual contrast between new construction and the city's historic urban landscape," the article says.

Liu notes that restoration work follows the city's master development plan. Tourist facilities and public buildings have been designed to blend harmoniously with the existing urban fabric, while their height preserves Shusha's historic skyline. At the same time, their interiors meet modern standards of comfort and public use, balancing heritage preservation with contemporary needs.

The journalist cites the Shusha Hotel as an example of this approach. Visitors enter the complex via an elevated glass gallery beneath which archaeological excavations revealing traces of the ancient city remain visible.

The feature also points to many restored historic mansions that have been given new functions. They now house museums, ethnographic exhibitions, memorial homes dedicated to prominent cultural figures, and cultural centres hosting mugham concerts, folk art exhibitions and other events showcasing Karabakh's rich cultural heritage.

"One such site is the historic caravanserai of Agha Gahraman Mirseyab oghlu, built in the 19th century and located in the city's central square. After restoration, the building was converted into a museum. During the Xinhua correspondent's visit, it was hosting a photo exhibition dedicated to Azerbaijan's National Leader Heydar Aliyev and Shusha," Liu wrote.

According to the article, the coexistence of old and new architecture carries significance beyond urban planning and culture for a city that has experienced armed conflict, symbolising both recovery and hopes for a peaceful future.

"While filming the house of Khurshidbanu Natavan — the daughter of the last Karabakh khan and a prominent 19th-century Azerbaijani poet — the correspondent noticed a small sign at the entrance reading: 'Checked. No mines.' This brief inscription served as a reminder that Shusha was, until recently, part of an armed conflict zone. In many parts of Karabakh, the threat posed by landmines remains one of the main obstacles to reconstruction and the return of peaceful life," the author stressed.

Concluding the feature, Liu says the city's remaining ruins serve as reminders of its tragic past, while newly constructed buildings reflect the determination of its residents to restore life to Shusha.

"Historic architecture preserves the memory of the past, while modern buildings meet the needs of the present. Shusha's experience demonstrates that preserving cultural heritage and developing urban infrastructure are not mutually exclusive. With a careful and thoughtful approach, they can complement one another, enabling the city to retain its historical identity while creating a comfortable environment for future generations," Liu remarked.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov