Lijiang, an ancient town in southwest China's Yunnan Province, has won UNESCO's 2007 Award
of Merit for its restoration of ancient buildings, UNESCO official
Richard Engelhart announced in the town on Monday.
A panel of international conservation experts noted that the
high-degree of verisimilitude demonstrated in Lijiang's restoration
showed effective government funding. It also provided an inspiring
example for other ancient towns to retain their heritage, many of
which are endangered by excessive numbers of tourists and urban
development.
Lijiang, listed in UNESCO's "World Cultural Heritage", completed
restoration of 299 households and 236 traditional complexes begun
in 2003, said He Shiyong, chief of conservation and management
bureau of Lijiang Ancient Town.
The award result came out in a UNESCO regional meeting in
August. The formal ceremony held on Monday was an official
acknowledgement to the town, said Engelhart.
The other three Awards of Merit include Bonython Hall (Adelaide,
Australia), Little Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR, China) and the Astana
of Syed Yahya (Skardu, Pakistan).
(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2007)
