The 2024 Ancient Village and Architecture Conservation and Development Conference was held in Gaoping, North China's Shanxi province, on July 31, with Zhang Chunlin, deputy secretary of the CPC Shanxi Provincial Committee, and Hu Guo, deputy director of the People's Daily, attending the event.

The conference brought together officials from relevant departments in Shanxi, leaders from various cities and counties, experts and scholars from domestic universities and research institutions, and representatives of local businesses. Discussions revolved around topics such as the conservation and development of traditional villages, fostering confidence in rural culture and promoting comprehensive rural vitalization.

Participants emphasized the importance of prioritizing the protection and rational utilization of ancient villages and architecture. They highlighted the need for collaboration among the government, enterprises and society to find the right balance between tradition and modernity. The goal is to pave the way for the integration of cultural heritage preservation with cultural tourism, comprehensive rural vitalization, and the prosperity of villagers.

Shanxi is renowned for its ancient villages and architecture, boasting 111 historically and culturally significant towns and villages – the most in the country. The province is also home to approximately one-tenth of China's existing ancient buildings, with over 80 percent of them dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) or earlier.

In recent years, a number of regions in Shanxi, represented by Gaoping and Jincheng, have significantly increased efforts in the conservation and development of historical and cultural heritage, giving many ancient villages and buildings a new lease on life.

During the conference, attendees provided valuable insights and suggestions for the protection and innovative development of ancient villages and architecture in Shanxi, hoping that the province can better leverage its cultural resources to achieve high-quality development.