A renovation project for the first batch of residential houses over 100 years old in the ancient city of Pingyao is approaching completion, according to the Pingyao county urban and rural planning bureau on Sept 13. The project, which was launched in 2012, involved about 7 million yuan ($1.14 million) in compensation funds for the renovation of a total of 48 private-owned traditional houses.

Ancient city of Pingyao

Pingyao, a distinguished Han ethnic city in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, is one of the best preserved ancient towns in China. There are 3,797 traditional houses and public buildings in the ancient city in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties as a whole. However, the lack of funds and supporting regulations and the property rights dispute have impeded the preservation of such ancient houses; as a result, some of these houses are at risk of collapsing.

In order to prevent this, the Pingyao county government has implemented a policy on traditional house renovation. In accordance with the policy, the government will renovate the houses and compensate renovation costs. The policy’s first batch of beneficiaries was decided after assessment.

With the completion of the first batch, the Pingyao county urban and rural planning bureau will start the project’s second batch, which will cover the renovation of 39 non-commercial privately-owned houses.