Once majestic merchants houses. Beautiful wooden houses. White stone houses with painted frescos with black tiled roofs. Inner courtyards, the veranda running around the quadrangle with an upper balcony with living quarters. I guess the livestock lived down below in stables, and still are. Except now these beautiful houses, torn apart during the revolution when it wasn't a good time to be rich and successful, are falling apart.
Once home to a family and servants, now home to around 10 families.The plaster is peeling, and that's an understatement, all is in total disrepair!
Shigu, had a glimpse through this doorway and the owner invited us in. I think when there is not much personal space another visitor is not an issue! The inside of this house in Shigu was unbelievable. Like a stage set for a Charles Dickens novel. Bare wood, shafts of sunlight coming through the dark showing the dust. A bare earth floor, chickens and pigs, the old folks sitting playing cards. Washing and clutter. But it had it's own beauty.
A few belongings in Cizhong..
Tibetan architecture - I love this photo contrasting the new and the old..
We visited the Linden centre in Xizhou ancient villge. An example of a beautiful restoration, in a large original town of fresco painted houses, looking stunning against the golden rice fields. A centre now for visiting American tourists, offering cooking and painting classes. Hiring a bicycle from here would be a lovely way to spend a weekend.
Down the road, an entrepreneurial family offers their house for a visit. The contrast was immense. Home to at least six families...
The once grand courtyard..
Could have wandered around this village for ages....
Once home to a family and servants, now home to around 10 families.The plaster is peeling, and that's an understatement, all is in total disrepair!
Shigu, had a glimpse through this doorway and the owner invited us in. I think when there is not much personal space another visitor is not an issue! The inside of this house in Shigu was unbelievable. Like a stage set for a Charles Dickens novel. Bare wood, shafts of sunlight coming through the dark showing the dust. A bare earth floor, chickens and pigs, the old folks sitting playing cards. Washing and clutter. But it had it's own beauty.
We visited the Linden centre in Xizhou ancient villge. An example of a beautiful restoration, in a large original town of fresco painted houses, looking stunning against the golden rice fields. A centre now for visiting American tourists, offering cooking and painting classes. Hiring a bicycle from here would be a lovely way to spend a weekend.
Down the road, an entrepreneurial family offers their house for a visit. The contrast was immense. Home to at least six families...
Fitted kitchens..
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