In the historically-rich city of Tianshui located in Northwest China’s Gansu Province, concerns are mounting over the misuse and commercialization of ancient buildings. Recent revelations spotlight that several of these cultural relics, remnants from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1644-1911), have been transformed into contemporary establishments, such as a Japanese-style restaurant. The news has sparked considerable online backlash and a nationwide debate about the importance of safeguarding cultural treasures.
In a deep dive into the matter, a recent report shared that one of the city’s historic structures, originally boasting of traditional Chinese architecture, had been remodeled to exude a Japanese ambiance. Even the central courtyard and elevated platforms, previously adorned with Chinese decorative elements, were altered using wooden boards to resonate with Japanese aesthetics. To add to the controversy, two new Japanese-inspired structures were introduced to the site’s western wing.
Huang Guoxiang, an esteemed expert dedicated to the restoration of historical residences and once a special consultant to Tianshui, voiced his concerns regarding these alterations. He underscored that such modifications not only deviate from traditional design principles but also have dire practical implications. For instance, the new design led to rainwater splashing onto the building’s pillars, thus hastening their deterioration – damage Huang described as “irreversible.”
The concerns were not sudden or new. Huang highlighted that he had raised red flags regarding this building’s renovation late last year. Despite his urgent appeals, the management overseeing Tianshui’s ancient city turned a blind eye, allowing the Japanese-themed restaurant to commence its operations.
Tianshui is renowned for its vast collection of well-preserved residential courtyards, artifacts from the Ming and Qing eras. Recognizing the slow degradation of these historical gems, local officials had initiated a robust program aimed at rejuvenating 29 heritage courtyards.
Between 2015 and 2021, the local government invested over 888 million yuan (around 121.9 million USD) in restoring the ancient city. However, a concerning trend emerged within a short span – many of the renovated courtyards were quickly converted for commercial purposes, catering primarily to tourists. A mere three out of the multitude of courtyards remained free for public visits.
The topic quickly gained traction online, particularly on China’s popular social platform, Sina Weibo. The related hashtag garnered a staggering 48 million views in just a day. Outraged netizens voiced their concerns. One user poignantly noted the importance of restoring structures authentically, urging against blindly chasing modern trends at the expense of rich heritage.
Further investigation revealed more discrepancies. Another ancient site had been revamped into a restaurant and tea shop. The original structural column, meticulously restored, now sported a modern fingerprint-scanning device. Moreover, a steel kitchen was conspicuously added to its historic backdrop. Numerous other establishments too flouted their original designated purposes, with teapot shops being turned into dining establishments, taverns metamorphosing into hotpot restaurants, and tea houses transitioning to regular eateries.
The combination of unchecked renovations and the introduction of commercial ventures, especially restaurants, has significantly heightened fire risks in these heritage sites. The prevalent use of open flames and liquefied gas in these venues has set the stage for potential calamities, underscoring the dire need for stringent oversight and safety regulations.
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