Shanxi province had 129 traditional Chinese villages at the end of 2014, according to three lists released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. These ancient villages will receive government support for preservation and development.
The literary master Nikolai Gogol once said that when the songs and legends keep silent, the architecture still talking. The traditional ancient villages are just like a group of “talking” buildings.
Ancient architecture in the traditional villages is not only buildings, but also the embodiment of people’s lives and the changes of society; moreover, they are histories of hundreds of years. If these ancient structures were destroyed, their history could never be regained. The perseveration of ancient villages is the preservation of cultural heritage.
However, ancient villages are swept by the tide of modernization and urbanization. The old looks of the traditional villages are changed by tourism or real estate development, while villagers are swarming into cities and emptying the ancient villages. The hollow villages are more vulnerable to decline.
In a word, attention should be paid to villages on the Chinese Traditional Villages lists, as well as those not on the lists. Every ancient village has its own history and unique stories. Every ancient village should be preserved and treasured. It is imperative to respect our traditional history and culture.
