It’s fortunate that the Weishan fire did not spread from the Gongchen Gate to the rest of the village.
Urbanisation, modernisation, the growth of mass-tourism and the rural exodus has already taken its toll on China’s ancient villages. Although accidents happen, it is always sad to learn the destruction of a structure like the Gongchen Tower.
“Traditional Chinese villages are an integral part of Chinese culture and are supposed to deserve due attention […] The spectacular scenes once described in many Chinese poems should not be sealed in people’s memories.” That’s what vice-minister of Culture reportedly said to the journalist of the China Daily in an article titled “Ancient villages in China demand more effective protection”.
