Spirit of vitalization

Known as a treasure house of historical architecture, Shanxi is home to 28,027 ancient buildings, most made from wood and mud brick, according to data compiled during the third national cultural relics census.

Among them, 421 are registered as national-level key sites. In Jincheng alone, there are 58 wooden structures from the Song and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties, which are about 1,000 years old and they account for more than 30 percent of the national total.

Thanks to the region's dry, windy climate and low rainfall, the structures, most of which were constructed on high platforms, have been well-preserved.

Although they have stood the test of time, Bai knows that the changing climate, heavy rain and fluctuating humidity challenges their structural integrity.