During a visit in July to Dongshan, a village in Hubei province, President Xi Jinping said it is vital to prevent massive demolition and reconstruction in rural areas.

Zhao said the government is considering legislation on preventing demolition in traditional villages.

Yu Jianrong, a professor specializing in rural development at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, urged local governments and village committees to provide more guidance for people to better protect their villages.

"Many farmers lack awareness to protect their villages, and some enjoyed bringing in new elements from cities such as tall and concrete residential buildings that failed to match the village's overall style," he said.

Zhang Bing, who is in charge of intangible cultural relics protection for the Ministry of Culture, said most intangible cultural heritage in China is in rural villages, especially in areas where ethnic groups live.

"It is our responsibility to protect these traditional villages, which helps to protect the diversity of peoples," he said.