Wuyuan puts old houses up for 'adoption'

Project aims to preserve buildings not eligible for official protection

Wuyuan, a county in East China's Jiangxi province renowned for its pastoral beauty, has found a novel way to breathe new life into centuries-old houses that have fallen into disrepair.

Many of the buildings' owners lack the funds or skills to do the work themselves, so outsiders are being encouraged to "adopt" the rundown houses and have them renovated - even turning some into stylish boutique hotels, sought after by tourists from across the country.