Tucked in the mountains in southwest China, Donglianhua Village was once like a Shangri-la. Now it is a tourist attraction known for its unique ethnic architecture.  

The village, which lies in Weishan County, Dali Prefecture in Yunnan Province, was a hub on the ancient Tea Horse Road, through which caravans transported blocks of compressed tea out of Yunnan to trade for horses in today’s Tibet Autonomous Region in the 17th century, Liu Xishu, former head of the Weishan Cultural Heritage Bureau, said. 

Donglianhua, first built in mid-Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and home to members of the Hui ethnic group, remained inconspicuous until the late 1990s when Liu found well-preserved wooden-frame ancient buildings there. 

Many of them were built by members of the caravans and the prosperity of the era can still be observed in the delicate craftsmanship of the buildings. 

By the time that they were discovered, some had been damaged. A mansion belonging to a caravan leader had been turned into a kindergarten. Steel window frames and doors were installed on the ancient building, which looked quite out of place, he said. 

Believing the buildings are of historical interest, Liu and his colleagues called for better protection. Through the efforts of the team and the authorities, there are now 28 preserved ancient buildings in the village. In 2007, the National Cultural Heritage Administration recognized their work by incorporating Donglianhua into its heritage village list. 

“The local government has been preserving the ancient buildings, restoring their previous appearances without over-renovation. It has also introduced regulations to call on residents not to build modern-style houses, as the ancient buildings carry the memory of the past and distinctive Hui culture,” Zhong Xixiang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Yongjian Township, which administers Donglianhua, told Beijing Review. 

Opening in 2015, Nanzhao Museum in Weishan is another haven of cultural heritage. It documents the history of the Nanzhao Kingdom, which existed over 1,000 years ago. 

“The museum is the grandest building in Weishan. It is open to the public for free to allow people to access their cultural and historical heritage,” Liu said. 

According to Liu, the authorities have been working on keeping modern buildings away from ancient blocks, and on improving residents’ awareness of cultural heritage preservation. 

The booming tourism industry has driven economic growth. Many locals run restaurants, souvenir stores and homestays to cash in on the boom, Liu said. 

“Preservation and development can go hand in hand. Proper preservation of ancient buildings will ensure the old city remains appealing to visitors. It is a virtuous cycle,” he said. 

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson  

Comments to lixiaoyang@cicgamericas.com