Houhuang village an oasis of clam

A decade ago, this backwater was a mess. But, thanks to smart planning, it now draws urban folk looking for a rural getaway

Houhuang village is picture of green fields, clean rivers, and ancient buildings with redbrick walls and red-tile roofs. Some are nearly a century old and used to serve as lookout towers for the Chinese Red Army.

Seen from on high, the buildings all resemble giant gems embedded on a green landscape.