Cave dwellings lure tourists

Unique underground homes helped ancient farmers save precious land for crops

Cave dwellings in Sanmenxia's Shanzhou district, Henan province, boast the world's only underground domestic architecture.

The unique rectangular homes, sunk into the ground at a width of 10 to 12 meters and depth of six to seven meters, are often referred to in China as underground siheyuans (courtyards surrounded by buildings on all four sides).

With a history stretching back 4,000 years, some of the dwellings in Sanmenxia are remarkably well preserved. So far, more than 100 cave villages and 10,000 courtyards having been restored. Some of these are more than 200 years old and have accommodated up to six generations.

The dwellings were listed in the third group of National Intangible Cultural Heritage selections in 2011.

Land in the area was precious for the farmers thousands of years ago. So, rather than waste valuable space that could be used to grow crops, they decided build their homes underground.

The thick soil on the Loess Plateau provides a solid base for the walls and with the semi-arid climate in the region, it is almost impossible for the dwellings to be flooded.

After restoration carried out by the Sanmenxia government, the dwellings have become a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

The underground cave dwellings in Shanzhou are a distinctive architectural style in western regions of Henan province. Photos by Wu Jiming

A lantern fair featuring 151 illuminated lantern groups kicked off on Jan 13 and will last until Feb 28.

The redecorated and renovated cave dwellings comprise 100 villages and 10,000 courtyards.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 02/17/2017 page4)