Protection, Restoration, Revitalization and Utilization of Ancient Roads in Zhejiang Province

Ancient roads not only embody the historical imprints of our ancestors’ development, witness the prosperity of society, and carry nostalgic memories, but also show the surrounding natural ecology, local customs and folk history. This paper comprehensively reviews the status quo, cultural value and existing challenges of ancient road resources in Zhejiang Province, systematically summarizes the innovative practices and models to protect, restore and utilize these roads better. These measures include establishing mechanism for protection, restoration and management service, appreciating the historical and cultural significance, and exploring diversified, systematic and digital intelligence-driven approaches. The study highlights Zhejiang’s efforts to integrate conservation with dynamic utilization, offering insights into balancing heritage preservation and modern development.