A woman carrying her child stands at the entrance of a store along a traditional alleyway, or hutong, in central Beijing. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING -- China will open an exhibition at the end of the year that features ancient towns and villages in light of the urgent need to protect the ancient architecture and promote traditional Chinese culture.

The China International Ancient Town Exposition is scheduled to open on Dec. 16 and run till Dec. 18, according to organizers, which include the China Council for the Promotion of National Trade and the China Tourism Association.

The organizers said China has more than 5,000 ancient towns that are at least 1,000 years old, but so far only 180 of them have been fully developed, while most of them need to be protected for their profound cultural heritage.

They explained that protecting ancient cultural heritage is an arduous but urgent task for the country.