IN the past few months, Italian Marco Logilo has frequently visited Hesou Village, an abandoned Hakka residential area near Xichong beach in Nan'ao in eastern Shenzhen, with a plan to restore the village and convert it into a high-class tourist resort.

"The purpose is to set up something like the West Street in Yangshuo (in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), or Lijiang (in Yunnan Province), but in the traditional Guangdong housing style. It's good to preserve the original heritage as well as promote the local tourism," said Logilo, who is fascinated by traditional Hakka architecture.

According to him, the old houses can be converted into lodgings for holidaymakers, with authentic Chinese and Italian food on offer.

The area can also host various cultural activities, such as fashion shows, and English and Italian language classes.

Logilo has visited related government departments with his ideas, but he still needs a go-ahead from the local authority before he pursues his plan further.

"The city plans to turn the Xichong area a paradise of holidaymaking. But I do not see the point of tearing down old buildings and construct modern-looking villas. For visitors, we love something with local style. The people I talked to expressed their interests, however, it still needs an approval from the Shenzhen municipal authority," he said.

Having been in Shenzhen for three years, Logilo often visits Xichong beach to swim, sunbathe and hike. While on a hiking trip last year he came across the abandoned Hesou Village, from which he drew his inspiration.

Editor: Wing