The city of Luoyang in central China's Henan Province has spearheaded significant initiatives in safeguarding and revitalizing traditional villages, crucial components of social evolution and repositories of agricultural heritage.

In Sanhe Village, remnants of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties residences still stand strong, with three particularly well-preserved ancient homes showcasing China's traditional courtyard architecture. Through meticulous restoration and protection endeavors, the cultural legacy of these courtyards remains vibrant today.

"By employing 'micro-innovation and minimal intervention,' we strive to maintain the traditional memories and nostalgia as a fundamental aspect of our protection efforts. During the revitalization and development phase, we integrate activities including artist residencies, old house reclamation programs, and vacant house exhibitions, which generate social benefits," said Yang Bo, a landscape and architect designer. In 2016, Sanhe Village was a remote and impoverished area. After being designated as a key village for targeted poverty alleviation, the local government supported the establishment of a sketching base industry, allowing the village's natural ecological landscape to be fully utilized.

Now recognized as a "town of sketching," the village thrives on sketching tourism, boasting a 3A-level rural tourism scenic area. It has also been included in the sixth batch of traditional villages in the state protection list.

Meanwhile, other villages in the city have also gained development through protection and rejuvenation.

"In the coming steps, we will actively develop interconnected spaces for traditional villages that highlight agricultural and ecological cultural resources. By exploring various cultural resources, we aim to energize the regional village tourism market and foster the high-quality development of traditional villages in Luoyang," said Duan Xiaosheng, a staff member of the Luoyang Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau.

Luoyang's commendable preservation endeavors have culminated in the successful application for 104 provincial-level traditional villages, with 34 securing spots on the state protection list.

As the ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties, Luoyang boasts over 5,000 years of civilization and a history as a city spanning more than 4,000 years.