It began collaborating with Shanghai Ruan Yisan Urban Heritage Foundation in 2023 to hold an international workshop to engage global cultural heritage enthusiasts in the protection of these lesser-known ancient buildings in Shanxi.

The Shanghai-based foundation, founded by renowned ancient architecture researcher Ruan Yisan, began to strengthen its presence in Shanxi by establishing a volunteers' workshop for ancient buildings protection in Pingyao county in 2010. The workshop started recruiting international volunteers three years ago.

"Our aim for this international workshop is to increase the awareness of protecting lesser-known cultural relics in Shanxi and across the world," said Ding Feng, secretary-general of the foundation.

The two villages covered by this workshop session, Dongquan and Houji, are typical cases of how to address the challenges facing the lesser-known cultural relics.

Dongquan, for instance, has more than 400 ancient courtyards and more than 10 ancient castles.

However, most of the courtyards and castles are on the verge of dilapidation because they are no longer inhabited, according to Shao Shuai, a craftsman in charge of repair at the workshop.