Recently, the General Office of Sichuan Provincial People's Government issued the Opinions on Strengthening Protection of Ancient Towns, Ancient Villages, and Ancient Residential Housing ("the Opinions"), proposing that by 2025, all ancient towns, ancient villages, and ancient residential housing in Sichuan Province will be put under unified filing, labeling and protection as the province is aiming to nurture 20 "Most Beautiful Ancient Towns" and 100 "Most Beautiful Ancient Villages".

Ancient towns and villages are also called as famous historical and cultural towns, villages, and traditional villages, namely towns and villages with rich historical heritage, continuous stretches of historical buildings, and traditional layout and flavor. Ancient residential housing means houses with certain protection value, reflecting historical heritage and local features, yet having not been publicized as culture relic protection site or historical building. The Opinions points out that in protecting ancient towns, villages and residential housing, Sichuan Province will take a protection-oriented approach to make overall utilization of these resources, improve the environment and make organic upgrade, and inherit heritage in a live manner while highlighting features, seeking to build these resources into places worth yearning.

In terms of protection, investigation will be made for filing, and to establish "List of Ancient Residential Housing in Sichuan Province for Protection" and archives database; efforts will be made to study ancient towns, ancient villages, and ancient residential housing in the province and formulate protection plans; the protection plans will be implemented strictly to tightly control various construction activities within core protection zones; innovative construction methods will be identified. Efforts will be made to study suitable design and construction methods that reflect features of these resources, improve treatment system of domestic sewage and garbage, and push for the transformation and upgrade of water, electricity, road, communication, and other infrastructure. Support will be offered to unearth and protect folk literature, folklore, traditional techniques, and other varied intangible cultural resources in ancient towns and villages; guidance and support will be provided to develop innovative, distinctive agriculture, cultural tourism, cultural and creative industries, and wellness and elderly care; greater efforts will be made to protect mountains and rivers, idyllic scenery, forests, and lakes surrounding ancient towns and villages in a comprehensive way.

In terms of supporting policy, overall efforts will be made to plan the use of existing policy fund in habitat environment in rural areas, cultural relics protection, and other aspects for the protection of ancient towns, ancient villages, and ancient residential housing; greater efforts will be made in the formulating and implementing of laws, regulations, and policies related to ancient towns and villages; a community-oriented management system will be established, and a community protection team with advanced concepts and strong competence will be built.