On October 25th, the Fourth Huizhou Ancient Building Industry Development Conference took place in Huangshan, Anhui Province, China. The theme of the conference was “Famous Cities + Villages + Huizhou Ancient Architecture – Integrated Development Through Architectural Innovation.” Attendees collaborated to explore paths for integrated development, aiming to help the Huizhou architectural industry tap into new markets.
At the conference venue, a variety of wood and stone carvings were on display, showcasing the unique forms and lifelike details that embody Huizhou culture. These captivating pieces drew the attention of many guests who paused to admire them.
According to recent statistics, there are 274 companies in Huangshan engaged in the construction of ancient architecture, restoration and preservation, as well as manufacturers of architectural components and cultural decorative products. From January to September 2024, the output value of the Huizhou ancient building industry reached 3.132 billion yuan, marking a significant year-on-year increase of 50.1%. As a vital carrier of traditional culture, Huizhou architecture has extended its influence across 25 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China.
During the conference, experts and scholars shared insights on the integrated development of famous cities, villages, and ancient buildings, all while discussing ways to serve the construction of Huangshan as a world-class leisure, holiday, and wellness tourism destination.
According to Ju Dedong, the Director of the Historical and Cultural City Protection and Development Research Institute at the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design, “We have been researching urban cultural preservation projects, and we discovered a strong connection between Anhui and Zhejiang when it comes to the background of historical and cultural preservation. In the future, the Yangtze River Delta region can find ways to come together on historical culture, tourism integration, and rural revitalization, leveraging the interconnectedness and uniqueness of cities. We aim to create a scenic corridor that combines stunning natural landscapes with rich cultural narratives.”
Li Jixiang, Deputy Director of the China Architectural Culture Center, emphasized that as a guiding body for the conference, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development will lead efforts to strengthen the comprehensive protection of historical culture cities, towns, villages, and cultural heritage areas. This involves in-depth research on industry policies, uniting various resources, and promoting business collaborations to foster high-quality development in Anhui’s ancient building industry.
In recent years, Huangshan has vigorously implemented an “outward-looking” strategy, allowing ancient architecture companies to expand beyond their local area. The Huizhou Ancient Building Industry Development Conference has now become a significant platform for external exchange and cooperation, having facilitated the signing of 46 ancient building projects with a total investment of 7.918 billion yuan over the past three years.
