"But we finally worked out a plan to cover the site with glass and turn it into a miniature museum. This will also be a highlight of our school."

The attraction will be open not only to students but also to visitors from outside.

Similar ideas are also being considered by other institutions in Luoyang, and Shi Jiazhen says there are at least five such projects involving schools, a market, and even a military facility.

"You can imagine what will happen if we continue this effort for a decade or more," he says. "These cultural sites in every community will comprise an incomparable landscape not only in China, but the whole world."

But, he confesses that it still takes a relatively long time to get approvals for each project due to the regulations of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage on archaeological sites.

"But as more projects are approved things will get easier," he says with a touch of optimism.

Contact the writer at wangkaihao@chinadaily.com.cn