Inheritance and Challenge: A Study on the Protection and Development Strategy of the Manchu Cultural Heritage in Wulajie Town, Jilin Province

Background and Aim: Although Wulajie Town in Jilin Province is an important birthplace of Manchu culture and has a rich historical and cultural heritage, there is a significant gap in existing research in comprehensively and systematically evaluating its cultural value, inheritance status, and the impact of modernization. Given this, this study aims to fill this gap by deeply analyzing the uniqueness of Manchu culture in Wulajie Town, identifying the specific challenges it faces in the process of modernization, and proposing practical protection and development strategies based on this, to promote the continuous inheritance and innovative development of this precious cultural heritage. Materials and Methods: This study adopted a series of systematic research methods to ensure the comprehensiveness and depth of the research. First, through a literature review, we extensively collected and analyzed historical documents, academic works, and relevant policy documents to construct the historical context and theoretical framework of the Manchu culture in Wulajie Town. Secondly, the field investigation method enabled us to directly observe and record the cultural heritage, traditional customs, and contemporary practices of Wulajie Town, including on-site surveys of historical sites and in-depth interviews with local community members. In addition, the interdisciplinary analysis method covers qualitative research, such as participant observation and semi-structured interviews, as well as quantitative research, such as statistical data analysis of cultural heritage use and tourism impacts. The comprehensive application of these methods enables us to comprehensively evaluate the characteristics of the Manchu culture in Wulajie Town and make evidence-based recommendations for its inheritance and development in modern society. Results: This study deeply analyzed the current situation and challenges of the Manchu cultural heritage in Wulajie Town, Jilin Province. The study found that although Wulajie Town has retained rich Manchu cultural characteristics in terms of language, customs, and costumes, the lack of cultural characteristics in the process of modernization, lack of professional talents, shortage of funds, and poor publicity have seriously threatened the inheritance and development of these cultural heritages. In particular, the contradiction between the protection of traditional culture and modernization, the aging of inheritors and the lack of cultural identity of the younger generation, and the financial and technical limitations of cultural tourism development have become the main obstacles to the sustainable development of Manchu culture in Wulajie Town. The study emphasized that to effectively respond to these challenges, a series of measures need to be taken, including strengthening the systematic research of cultural resources, enhancing cultural protection awareness, repairing historical sites, cultivating professional talents, developing cultural tourism products, innovating cultural communication methods, establishing a multi-party cooperation mechanism, and formulating sustainable development plans, etc., to ensure the protection, inheritance and development of Manchu culture in Wulajie Town, while promoting the prosperity of the local economy and social harmony. Conclusion: In response to the modernization challenges facing the Manchu culture in Wulajie Town, Jilin Province, this study puts forward strategic suggestions such as strengthening cultural resource research, enhancing protection awareness, restoring historical relics, cultivating professional talents, developing cultural tourism products, innovating communication methods, establishing cooperation mechanisms and formulating sustainable development plans, aiming to promote the inheritance and development of Manchu culture and ensure its vitality and prosperity in the context of the new era