More on this disturbing topic.
The Beijing CHP (Cultural Heritage Society) has revealed that the Kashgar local government are claiming that UNESCO supports their plan to level and rebuild the old town. A large billboard pictured on CHP's website publicly proclaims this as "fact".
It seems extremely unlikely that UNESCO would support such a plan. More likely in fact that their name and reputation are being exploited without their permission to lend support to this scheme.
I hope that someone in UNESCO is able to respond to this quickly, if only because their reputation seems to be at stake.
I have not visited Kashgar personally since spring this year ('09) but I hear reports from travelers to the region that the destruction of the old buildings has already begun. I hope it isn't too late to halt this plan and save what is left. Kashgar's future as a tourist and historical site depends on it.
(photo: a balcony in the old town, with characteristic arched openings, openwork carving and geometric tiles behind. Similar wood-framed balconies can be found on the houses formerly owned by wealthier Kashgar citizens in many parts of the old town. The style is a unique local synthesis that is not found elsewhere in China)
The Beijing CHP (Cultural Heritage Society) has revealed that the Kashgar local government are claiming that UNESCO supports their plan to level and rebuild the old town. A large billboard pictured on CHP's website publicly proclaims this as "fact".
It seems extremely unlikely that UNESCO would support such a plan. More likely in fact that their name and reputation are being exploited without their permission to lend support to this scheme.
I hope that someone in UNESCO is able to respond to this quickly, if only because their reputation seems to be at stake.
I have not visited Kashgar personally since spring this year ('09) but I hear reports from travelers to the region that the destruction of the old buildings has already begun. I hope it isn't too late to halt this plan and save what is left. Kashgar's future as a tourist and historical site depends on it.
(photo: a balcony in the old town, with characteristic arched openings, openwork carving and geometric tiles behind. Similar wood-framed balconies can be found on the houses formerly owned by wealthier Kashgar citizens in many parts of the old town. The style is a unique local synthesis that is not found elsewhere in China)
