In China, the fanxin-like renovation process does not bother everyone. Somehow, the entire destruction and re-construction of a 500-year old town can be inscribed in the process of history. In 200 years people will say that Qianzhou was renovated at the beginning of the 21st century. After all it was expanded and renovated during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
If the new Qianzhou is still at the same geographical location of the ancient Qianzhou, to www.edwardlifson.com, it has lost its historical value, soul and interest. A lot of villages in the region look exactly like Qianzhou … and they are free.
What if the cathedral of Notre-Dame of Paris finished during the 14th century was torn down and re-built anew with contemporary materials?
