Taiyuan, Nov 12 : China will launch a nation-wide survey of its ancient villages early next year as part of a decade-long heritage protection program launched in 2003.

The survey launched by the Chinese Ministry of Culture aims at establishing a list of heritage sites with a view to protect them.

According to China Folk Literature and Art Association Vice Chairman Chang Sixin, members of local folk literature and art societies will compile a record of China's oldest and most distinctive villages by taking photographs and writing descriptions of each.

The survey will begin in January 2008 and will go on till December 2010, reported Xinhua.

A book will be published before 2012 based on the survey results.

At least 100 ancient villages across China have a history of about 500 years, along with distinctive architecture and folk customs, China Ancient Village Conservation and Development Committee Secretary-General Zhang Anmeng was quoted, as saying.

Residents in some ancient villages have been living in poverty due to their remote locations.

“It is impossible, and also unrealistic, to conserve all the ancient villages in a rapidly developing society," Zhang said. (ANI)