WHAT: Seven Hundred Thousand Villages – the preservation and revitalization of rural China – a talk with The Brickyard's Jim Spear in conversation with his architectural partners and experts.

Revitalization of life in rural China is a high-profile policy area. The state is asking itself how to balance rewilding, preservation, and development of China's vast hinterland. What is the value of heritage buildings and culture in today's society? How does nostalgia for rural life and values among city dwellers impact domestic tourism?

WHEN: Wednesday 26th June, 7pm-8pm, followed by Q&A. Doors open 6.30 PM for drinks and nibbles.

WHERE: JINSHANG YUAN 金尚源 at JINSHANG SQUARE Bldg 20, Chaoyang District, Beijing 北京市朝阳区新源里西20号

FOR DIDI: XINYUAN LIXI Building No.20

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: Jim Spear, co-founder of The Brickyard and Schoolhouse in Mutianyu by the Great Wall, is joined by Ron Knapp and Wenkai Zhong in a discussion on ecotourism in China as his memoirs, Home at the Great Wall: Memories, Designs, and Dreams are published in China by CITIC. Home at the Great Wall covers how he became an architect, planner, and sustainable tourism entrepreneur. Spear is joined by architect Wenkai Zhong, to illustrate how Spear's organic approach to rural design projects has evolved since the 1990s, and scholar Ron Knapp, who places Spear's work in the broader context of Chinese residential architecture and preservation and development issues. Following this, Spear's partner Liang Tang will join for a discussion and audience questions. The book will be on sale at the event, and online (search for book title 安居长城 on JD.com or Jingdong mini app).

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Jim Spear spent nearly 20 years doing business in China prior to moving full-time to his vacation house at Mutianyu Great Wall in 2005. He expanded and upgraded the home, turning it into a year-round retreat. Since then, he has completed over 30 homes for clients from around the world. Spear and his wife Liang Tang founded The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu Great Wall, celebrated by tourist associations and the local Chinese government for pioneering eco-tourism.

HOW MUCH: This event is RMB 200 for members of RASBJ and members of partner RAS branches; RMB 300 for non-members. You may find payment by Alipay easier than by WeChat. You can also pay by credit card. Interested in becoming an RASBJ member? Please sign up at https://rasbj.org/membership​​​​

HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: No later than noon on 24th June, please click "Register" or "I will Attend" and follow the instructions. After successful registration and payment, you will receive a confirmation email. If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder.

Members of partner RAS Branches: Please register 72 hours in advance to allow time for membership verification. You'll receive three emails from us: the first confirming receipt of your registration request, the second requesting payment, and the third confirming receipt of your payment. Please check your spam folder to ensure you see all RASBJ emails.

REFUND POLICY: Registrants will be refunded only if the organiser/s decide to cancel or postpone the event.