Over 60 architects from home and abroad gathered in Beijing on August 6, discussing ways to protect China 's architecture, focusing on old houses in Beijing.
China has a rich tapestry of architecture. For example, Beijing has imperial palaces and traditional courtyards, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has yurts on the grasslands and the Dai minority live in bamboo houses.
However, economic development and city restructuring are threatening the very existence of traditional houses.
Traditional houses need to be protected, the architects noted, adding that they also bring incomes for cities. For example, Xicheng District in Beijing earned 2 billion yuan (about 240 million US dollars) in tourism income in 1998 with 114 buildings under cultural protection, 16 archeological sites and 264 scenic spots and historic places.
(Xinhua)
