World Bank backs China\'s ancient villages renovation

A World Bank loan will be used for infrastructure construction, cultural heritage protection and industry development in 68 ancient villages in east China's Anhui Province, local authorities announced on Sunday. The 100-million-U.S.-dollar loan will be used for construction projects, equipment and cultural heritage protection, according to Huangshan city government. Huizhou-style architecture in the villages of Huangshan represent China's late agricultural era. The style features black tiles, white walls and sweeping roofs with upturned eaves. Two well-known villages in the Huizhou region, Xidi and Hongcun, have been listed as world cultural heritage sites. But local ancient buildings are deteriorating due to a lack of repairs. Representatives with the World Bank hope Huangshan city government make full use of local ecological, cultural and tourism resources to help renovate the villages and benefit villagers, while retaining the uniqueness of the region, according to the director of the loan project with the Huangshan city government.