Putting the heart back into derelict homes

CHANGSHA — In a remarkable metamorphosis, derelict houses are being renovated to revive their faded splendor and repurposed into villa hotels, village museums, educational centers and other public spaces, breathing new life into these once-forgotten buildings.

The Awakening Heritage Homes initiative in the city of Chenzhou, Central China's Hunan province, is orchestrating a profound renaissance by resurrecting long-abandoned rural residences, ushering in a great transformation while revitalizing entire communities.

Arriving in Chenzhou's Huatang town feels akin to stepping into a realm of picturesque beauty. Xiao Xiuling, who works in the local food processing industry, rented two old buildings, which date back more than 100 years, and has renovated and turned them into an exhibition hall for agricultural products.

"Many villagers have moved to the cities, leaving their rural homes neglected for a long time. Consequently, these once-thriving residences have succumbed to decay, with some houses reduced to mere fragments of broken walls, while others stand as precarious and hazardous structures," Xiao says, adding that, when she first saw the old houses, the air was filled with dust, the wooden windows showed signs of damage, and mossy corners were clearly visible.

"We restored and renovated the old houses based on the principle of preserving the classical charm through meticulous repair and minimal intervention, and the old houses now retain the old style, but are brimming with newfound vitality," Xiao says.

"Several generations of our family have lived in the same house since it was built for our grandparents. As the younger members of the family eventually moved to larger and more modern residences, the original family home sadly fell into disrepair," says Li Yuai, a resident of Huatang town.

"Now, not only have the old houses been repaired, but we can also receive rent and dividends every year," Li says, expressing his delight at seeing the revitalized homes evolve into a prime attraction in the community.

As a pilot town for the initiative, Huatang has approximately 300 derelict houses that can be transformed into rental properties. According to Tan Hao, the town's Party secretary, owners of 80 houses have signed up to the initiative so far.

"Progress in rural areas is hampered by the presence of aging and abandoned houses, which also pose a safety risk and affect the quality of life," Tan says, adding that the initiative has significantly improved living conditions in the countryside by removing unsafe and run-down structures, improving outdated sanitation facilities, and solving other issues.

In line with the inherent conditions of these homes, Chenzhou has also been actively pursuing a diverse "awakening" approach.

In Hexie village, a splendid classical house stands as an example of this endeavor.

Within its walls, the melodious echoes of chants reverberated, as a group of students dressed in traditional attire explored Chinese culture.

According to Huang Kai, Party secretary of the village, Hexie has revitalized 19 old houses, transforming them into diverse cultural venues.

"The rebirth of these old houses has also created opportunities to enhance the collective economy of our village," Huang says.

"The villagers are now actively pursuing a trajectory that amalgamates traditional culture and agritourism. Looking ahead, we hope to leverage our distinctive 'old houses' to channel investment into infrastructure improvements," Huang adds.

Xinhua