Restoration of Qing Dynasty Architecture in Southwest China wins UNESCO award

The Liu Ancestral Hall Preservation and Renovation Project in China’s southeast Guizhou Province recently won an Honorable Mention at the 2016 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

Located in Sanmentang Village, Tianzhu County, the Liu Ancestral Hall was built by the Liu family in 1875 during the Qing dynasty, dedicated to their ancestor.  

The historic building is a fusion of Chinese and Western architectural and decorative styles, due to the Southeast Asian influence. But over the years, time and weather have taken their toll on the building. Walls peeled off, roof tiles broke, and cracks appeared everywhere. In more recent years, the growing number of tourists also caused considerable damage. 

The project of restoration and conservation began in November 2013, under the support of the World Bank.