Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County and Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County in Chongqing have recently been listed as demonstration counties, a high honor, for the protection and utilization of traditional villages.
Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County are located in the Southeast of Chongqing. In recent years, twenty-two villages in this county have been selected for the Traditional Chinese Villages List.
The traditional Chinese village of Dazhai Village, Qingxichang Town, Xiushan Tujia, and Miao Autonomous County. (Photo/ Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development)
"Based on the protection and utilization status of 22 traditional Chinese villages in Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, we adopt three strategies to protect them, namely renovation, improvement, and integrated development," said an official with the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.
There are 31 traditional Chinese villages and 11 Chongqing traditional villages in Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, and most of the buildings in the village are wooden structures. The stilted buildings that feature column and tie constructions, hanging hill roofs, and green tiles are extremely distinctive.
The breathtaking view of Hewan Village, Youshuihe Town, Youyang Tujia, and Miao Autonomous County in Chongqing. (Photo/ Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development)
Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous protect and utilize traditional villages based on their historical value, geographical location, village size, and development prospect.
Some villages, such as Hewan Village in Youshuihe Town, focus on developing their folk culture tourism. And some villages take advantage of a large number of intangible cultural heritage artisans to develop their creative industries. Like Dahekou village of Cangling Town, the other villages are gaining pace in developing the homestay industry.
Up to now, 31 state-level traditional villages in Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County have been well restored and protected.
It is said that all demonstration counties are supposed to be protected and utilized by giving full play to the historical culture, natural environment, pastoral scenery, and other characteristics of resource advantages.
In addition, the local is expected to coordinate infrastructure and public service facilities to promote the revitalization of rural area. And the renovation of traditional residential houses will be based on the actual needs of villagers.
(Gao Xianyue, as an intern, also contributes to this report.)