Bamberg, a UNESCO site in the southern German state of Bavaria, still follows its medieval street grid and Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque facades after steady restoration since the 1950s.

　　“There are some of the earliest city plans for the city, you can still use them in the edition from the 17th century,“ said Simona von Eyb, director of the World Heritage Center Bamberg.

　　“If you have that map and walk through the town, you can still find your way and find the same place and the same structure.“

　　The town hopes to market its centuries-old smoky beer under a new tag, “Made in World Heritage Bamberg,“ to link preservation with local craft.

　　This photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows iconic building of the ancient town of Bamberg, the former town hall built on Regnitz River, in Bavarian state, Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

　　This photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows the night view of the ancient town of Bamberg in Bavarian state, Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

　　This photo taken on March 24, 2025 shows a view of the ancient town of Bamberg in Bavarian state, Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

　　Shexian County in east China's Anhui Province, founded in the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC) and famed for Hui-style horse-head walls, pursues a parallel path of repair and revival.