SOME ancient towns and villages in China have received abundant financial support from the government owing to considerable tourist income for local economies. However, many relatively unknown locations that are not favored by tourists and businesses have had to struggle for survival — and are almost forgotten. This is similar to the experience of Fenghuang Ancient Village, which is located at the foot of Fenghuang Hill on Fuyong Road in Bao’an District, Shenzhen.

    This was once a prosperous village, but residential buildings designed and built by villagers have now sprouted. And the periphery of the village is occupied by thoughtlessly designed apartment buildings. They are rented at a relatively low cost by migrants. Some of these residents can be seen cooking their meals next to what remains of walls that date back several hundred years. Though the walls have been eroded by years of wind and rain, the paintings decorating them can still be seen.

    Fenghuang Ancient Village is said to be the home of descendents of Wen Tianxiang, a scholar-general in the last years of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 B.C. — 1279 B.C.) who led fights against Mongolian soldiers’ invasion and sacrificed his life. Many residents in the village are surnamed Wen. There are about 60 ancient houses in the architectural style of the Ming and Qing. A restoration process was launched in 2009 and, fortunately, as Bao’an District released its plan to begin a further restoration of Fenghuang Ancient Village this year, it may survive the construction projects which are part of the modernization process of the city. (Cecilia Tan)