Our institute is mainly engaged in research on the architecture of the Song dynasty, collection and collation of documents concerning ancient architecture, architectural archeology and protection of ancient architecture and ancient cities. We are also dedicated to the integration of academic research, personnel training and social services.

Dr. Hequn Li, a professor in history, is the leader of the key discipline of "Architecture History and Theory" in Henan Province as well as a Ph.D. supervisor in archaeology at our university. He mainly commits himself to the teaching and research of architectural history, protection of ancient cities, and architectural literature. He has published more than 40 papers in provincial and national academic journals. He has also edited six books and presided over six provincial and national projects by the National Committee for Ancient Writings Collations in Higher Education Institutions and the Ministry of Education.

In the area of social services, he has actively participated in the protection, development and exploitation of ancient cities and buildings in Henan. In recent years, he has led the planning of such projects concerning Dengfeng, Linying, Xinyang, Huangchuan, Renjia Residence in Yucheng and so forth. As a member of the Construction and Planning Experts Group of Kaifeng, he has provided valuable suggestions on the protection and exploitation of Kaifeng for numerous times. He also conducted special studies on issues including tilting and rectification of Kaifeng Tower, restoration of the defense facilities of Kaifeng City Wall, and Song dynasty style in the context of the transformation of old cities. In 2013, he undertook the “Research on the Urban Construction of Kaifeng with a New Song dynasty style” commissioned by the Kaifeng CPPCC. Relevant Bureaux have adopted the research result, providing a historical basis for building Kaifeng into an international city for cultural tourism with a combination of traditional and modern style.