LIFE / CULTURE Bringing back the past By Xinhua Published: Jun 09, 2021 06:18 PM Ancient bian zhong, or chime bells, on display at a museum in Hubei Province Photo: ICFive years ago, a documentary series titled Masters in Forbidden City was released in China and soon became a hot-button topic on social media, bringing the profession of cultural relic restoration into the public spotlight. Given China's long history and rich collections of ancient artifacts from various dynasties, it takes meticulous hands, years of experience and a thorough understanding of history to become a qualified restorer. As backstage heroes, many of them have dedicated their lives to preserving national treasures.