Excessive exploitation

But he warned that the development of tourism should be based on protection and restoration. The lure of "easy money" has seen some places fall victim to excessive exploitation and entrepreneurs have even altered the old houses to meet business demands, destroying the original features in the process.

"Because of regional differences, the protection of traditional villages needs to be applied according to local conditions. The world has changed and it's impossible to demand that everything is kept as before. We should apply new methods, such as moving all the villagers and building new houses for them in a different place. Alternatively, we could move some of the villagers or keep the exterior appearance of the old houses while allowing the villagers to decorate them inside to meet their living requirements," he said.

Cao Baoming, a member of the National Traditional Villages Conservation Commission, said protection should be selective, and villages with abundant culture and historical value should have priority.

He also called for every village to establish a small museum to showcase local history, noteworthy former inhabitants and relevant stories. "The village has changed, but history cannot be forgotten and we should keep the memory alive," he said.

Huo Yaozhong, a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts at Shanxi University said, "Many traditional villages have fallen into ruin, but it's not just a result of people abandoning them, but an inexorable law of economic development."

He said local governments must foster industries to provide the villages with sustainable development, while also raising living standards and infrastructure to attract returnees.

"I have investigated a few traditional towns and villages in Europe. They have developed old villages through new industries, and these places have gained a new lease of life. Tourism and the aging industries are two of the best choices. The most urgent thing is to work out a plan for industrial development and protection for every village that has value. Without a clear aim, it's useless to invest," he added.

Huo said urbanization has caused great damage to the traditional cultural heritage in villages. Local government officials must be clear-minded when making plans and new construction should be based on the protection of traditional villages.