Suzhou, paragon of China's revitalized old town

In 2020, a thorough survey was launched to examine and register every house, well, bridge, and tree in the old town's 54 neighborhoods, with the aim of providing more accurate data for future protection.

Many ancient architectures have also been renovated to house businesses or exhibitions. So far, nearly 1,000 cultural and innovative companies have settled in the old town, generating profits to fund the local repair and preservation drives.

Shan Jixiang, head of China Cultural Relics Academy, praised Suzhou's decades of hard work for breathing new life into the ancient city while painstakingly preserving its antiquity.

"Cities must actively embrace the young generation while protecting its cultural resources," he said.