Erqilou village in Daiyue district of Tai'an, Shandong province has been included in the fifth batch of national-level traditional villages.

The list was recently unveiled by six ministries and bureaus, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

Erqilou village, as an ancient village well preserved in its original state, has a long history. Historical records show that people have lived here for thousands of years.

The village lies among mountains with many remains of traditional stone buildings. The village boasts simple and unsophisticated scenery and local forest coverage exceeds 70 percent.

Up to now, Daiyue district is home to two state-level traditional villages, namely Shanxijie village and Erqilou village, as well as five provincial-level traditional villages.

According to officials from Daiyue district, local government will establish and improve archives of traditional villages, formulate protection and development plans, strengthen the construction and management of traditional villages, and protect the integrity, authenticity and continuity of their cultural heritages.

Local government will integrate the protection and development work of traditional villages in the implementation of beautiful countryside construction.

A well-preserved traditional stone house is seen in Erqilou village in Daiyue district of Tai'an, Shandong province. [Photo/dzwww.com]

An ancient stone building is seen in Erqilou village in Daiyue district of Tai'an, Shandong province. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The remains of an ancient mountain fastness in Erqillou village. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The photo shows well-preserved security doors during the old times in Erqilou village in Daiyue district of Tai'an, Shandong province. [Photo/dzwww.com]

A traditional stone mill lies in front of a stone dwelling in Erqilou village in Daiyue district of Tai'an, Shandong province. [Photo/dzwww.com   

A lake in Erqillou village. [Photo/dzwww.com]