Wuyuan puts up centuries-old houses for 'adoption'
The houses up for adoption are not covered by government protection grants, and repair and maintenance fees for each dwelling can reach millions of yuan.
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Situated in China's southern Jiangxi Province, Wuyuan enjoys a widespread reputation as "the most charming village in China" for its well-preserved ancient towns and original buildings dating from a long time ago. [Photo/China.org.cn] |
![Situated in China's southern Jiangxi Province, Wuyuan enjoys a widespread reputation as 'the most charming village in China' for its well-preserved ancient towns and original buildings dating from a long time ago. [Photo/China.org.cn]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20170628/b8aeed9904561abd481e04.jpg "Situated in China's southern Jiangxi Province, Wuyuan enjoys a widespread reputation as 'the most charming village in China' for its well-preserved ancient towns and original buildings dating from a long time ago. [Photo/China.org.cn]")
Moreover, it is difficult to find traditional craftsmen to renovate them.
"My heart was broken when I saw these excellent examples of architecture disappearing," said Yu Youhong, a woodcarver.
Edward Gawne, 32, was the first foreigner to purchase a building in Wuyuan. With help of Yu, he has just completed renovations on a Qing Dynasty house.
The house in Yancun Village covers 600 square meters and was built more than 200 years ago. When Gawne first saw it, many of the wood carvings were damaged and much of the structural integrity needed attention.
The man from London and his Chinese wife Liao Minxin turned the house into a family inn.
"We restored it and decorated the rooms with modern elements to make it comfortable. We also have a bar and a British-style garden," said Liao.
Renovation or preservation
The adoption wave has resulted in a boom for tourism in Wuyuan, which covers an area of around 3,000 square kilometers. More than 70,000 of its total population of 360,000 work in tourism.
Wuyuan has over 570 family inns. Critics say adoption may damage original houses and commercialized ancient villages may upset the tranquility of the local area.
Wuyuan publicity department responded that major structures are not allowed to be changed.
The county government has drafted a regulation that is under review, it said.
"Private investment is being used to renovate and preserve those ancient houses that are not classed as 'cultural relics' but are historically valuable nonetheless," said Cao Guoxin, deputy director with the tourism development research center at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics.
Wu Zhixuan has rented more than ten ancient houses in Wuyuan and Huangshan City, Anhui Province.
He said that people have purchased ancient houses in neighboring Zhejiang Province and relocated them. For him, keeping houses in their original setting is ideal.
"They only care about the aesthetics," said Wu. "Protection is not only renovation but preservation of the stories behind the house and the families who came before us," said Wu.