Villagers dry newly harvested sweet potatoes under the sun. WANG KAIHAO/CHINA DAILY

Separately, creative thinking is being used in the renovation process.

In Youtian, for example, an abandoned cowshed, which used to be co-owned by 14 families, was taken over by the village committee after paying 3,500 yuan ($506) to each family. And it was turned into a countryside inn after restoration.

"If it runs well, more villagers will see benefits of restoration," says Ye. "And more houses will be saved."

According to Lei Chao, deputy head of the county government in Songyang, about 20 million yuan is now being allocated annually by the local government for the revitalization of traditional villages, and subsidies are also provided to villagers running home inns, at up to 120 yuan per square meter.

But restoring the houses is only one piece of the puzzle for some.

"It's easier to restore houses compared with rejuvenation of traditional lifestyles in the Chinese countryside," Lei says.

"The resumption of eco-friendly agriculture and traditional folk art cannot be absent."

An ideal rural community should include its original residents returning from cities and finding work opportunities at home, and urban folk looking for serenity, he adds.

Contact the writer at wangkaihao@chinadaily.com.cn