Page 41 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Top-down rural heritage

population of Tangwei villagers living in Guangzhou and historical Tangwei village and initiated plans to revitalize
Hong Kong was comparable to the number living in the and utilize the historical architectural complex after the
village. In recent years, the village’s temporary resident restoration. Inspired by the idiom “building a nest to attract
population from other provinces has exceeded 3,000, phoenixes,” government representatives invited artists to
whereas the local population is just over 300 – a disparity reside in the village. Since July 2020, a total of 16 artists
of more than tenfold, indicating significant demographic have taken up residence in Tangwei village, with their
changes (Tangwei Village Editorial Committee et al., 2019). artistic fields spanning crafts, dance, music, and drama.
This artistic presence has become a symbol of the village’s
In the 1970s, Tangwei villagers began building new
houses outside the village walls, forming Dongcun (东 uniqueness, celebrated in media and public discourse.
村, Eastern Village), and Xicun (西村, Western Village). However, the revitalization and protection of historical
In 1987, Xianyuantou village (香元头村) was planned, villages in China often reflect government planning and
facilitating further relocation of villagers outside the interests rather than the genuine needs of the villages
historical village walls (Guangdong Provincial Cultural themselves. During the investigation, the research team
Center – Intangible Cultural Heritage Center, 2018). In inquired about the relationship between Nanshe village
an interview with students from Guangdong University of and Tangwei village, which are only 2 – 3 km apart and
Technology in August 2024, the village committee pointed jointly listed as major cultural heritage sites under national-
out that the 1980s marked a turning point, with most level protection. Local officials and village representatives
villagers born after this period growing up outside the pointed out that Nanshe village belongs to Chashan town,
village. In 2002, the Ming and Qing architectural complex but not Shiper town. Apart from the convenience of jointly
of Tangwei village was designated as part of the fourth batch submitting applications to enhance the likelihood of
of cultural relic protection units in Guangdong province successful recognition, there is no cooperation or shared
(Jiang & Cheng, 2014). Consequently, the construction planning between the two villages. Tangwei village and
of new houses and other buildings within the village was Nanshe village operate entirely independently in their
strictly prohibited. This policy has gradually estranged the respective cultural heritage projects.
villagers from their ancestral village, as many now reside in Tangwei village emphasizes its tradition of “respecting
newer settlements outside its historical boundaries. literature and valuing martial arts,” particularly the
After being designated as a provincial-level cultural importance of family instructions in nurturing future
relic protection unit in 2003, the Shipai town government generations. Aligning with the Chinese government’s
commissioned the South China University of Technology current emphasis on anti-corruption education, one of
to formulate a protection plan. This initiative marked the ancestral halls in Tangwei village – Qinle Gongci (琴
the beginning of architectural restoration design and the 乐公祠; Qinle Ancestral Hall) – has been designated by
collection of various local historical and cultural records the town government as the Family Values and Integrity
in the village. In 2006, Tangwei village achieved further Training Center (家训与廉政教育基地; jiaxun yu
recognition when it was selected as a major cultural lianzheng jiaoyu jidi) (Figure 2). This ancestral hall is the
heritage site under national-level protection – the highest only historical building open to visitors free of charge on
level of protection for immovable cultural relics in China, a long-term basis. Inside, in addition to anti-corruption
encompassing more than 5,000 units nationwide. As educational materials, display boards feature prominent
part of this recognition, the Nanshe Village and Tangwei villagers, such as industrialists Wong Chung-ming and
Village Historical Architectural Complex in Dongguan Wong Kam Fai from Hong Kong. Interestingly, these
City was included as a historical architectural relic in the individuals hail from another village in Shipai town and
sixth batch of listings announced by the State Council. have no direct connection with Tangwei village. This
The completeness of the layout and the well-preserved situation underscores that the revitalization of Tangwei
ancestral halls and historical houses in both villages were village is not driven by the village itself but by the town
key factors in their inclusion on the list. In 2007, Tangwei government. The initiatives reflect a top-down imposition
village was officially recognized as a Chinese Historical and of ideological symbols aligned with broader governmental
Cultural Village, and in 2016, it became a 4A-level tourist and economic priorities, rather than a focus on preserving
attraction. These impressive achievements have connected the village’s authentic traditions and historical legacy.
Tangwei village with emerging concepts such as cultural At present, apart from the Mei’an Gongci (梅菴
tourism and rural revitalization, forming the foundation 公祠; Mei’an Ancestral Hall), which is dedicated to
of its current revitalization efforts. Consequently, in 2018, worshipping Kangwang (康王), a military general of
the Shipai town government began restoration work on the the Northern Song dynasty (960 – 1279) who was later

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.5029