Visitors flock to unique 'stone village'

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2016-10-14

A historic "stone village" hides behind the towering mountains of Yunnan province, home to a diverse population of China's ethnic minorities.

Almost everything in Wangjiaqing village is made out of stone, including the houses, benches and beds. The village is located in Kunming’s Dongchuan district.

At an altitude of 2,400 meters, the village is too remote for most forms of transport, meaning goods have to be carried there by donkey.

The local people therefore use the most easily available natural resources to build their houses and other items. This has led to the creation of a village largely constructed with stone.

Visitors flock to unique 'stone village'

A villager walks down a lane of the village in Kunming, Yunnan province.

[Photo/Chinanews.com]

The village lies at the base of Guniu mountain, a famous mountain in the area which provides a stunning backdrop for the local residents and visitors to the area.

In winter, a huge icefall over 1,000 meters long and 100 meters wide hangs from the mountain. It can last for four to five months before melting.

Visitors flock to unique 'stone village'

Mist coils around Guniu mountain at high altitude. [Photo/ynci.cn]

During the National Day holiday, visitors to the area enjoyed the beautiful landscapes and delicious local food, plus a concert and motorcycle race.

"It is so sweet. The one I bought in the street tastes not as good as this one," one visitor commented on the local dragon fruit, picked from a district garden.

"Flower Yams", a well-known local plant, proved particularly popular, attracting foodies to the village.

The yam gained its name because after boiling, when it is soft, it takes the shape of a petal. The evening of Sept 9 not only saw a concert featuring original songs, but also a motorcycle race, with a track winding its way through the hilly area, sand drift, swamps and Gobi Desert.

With exciting activities for visitors and the unique attraction of the stone buildings, the village hopes to continue to attract visitors in the future, providing a boost to its economy.

Visitors flock to unique 'stone village'

Motorcyclists ready to start the race in Wangjiaqing village. [Photo/ynci.cn]

Edited by James Skinner

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