Actor Duan Yihong delivers a monologue as the Spirit of the Sword of Goujian in the show National Treasure and Every Treasure Tells a Story. [Photo provided to China Daily]

As for how to effectively protect these cultural heritage sites amid rapid urbanization, Yang offered his suggestions. First, while protecting the appearance of ancient villages, create some relevant cultural tourism bases. Second, save endangered traditional crafts by opening traditional crafts training institutes and hiring local craftsmen to teach. Third, promote local traditional festivals and rituals to pass on the traditional cultural genes to future generations.

The past several years also are characterized by the increasing interdependence of intangible cultural heritage protection and poverty alleviation, thanks to the China Ministry of Culture's initiative to bring intangible cultural heritage back into people’s daily lives.