Yunshuiyao, building complex in Nanjing, Zhangzhou
Yunshuiyao is a small village in Guanyang with traditional houses built from compressed earth and wood, threaded through by a gently flowing river. The buildings feature thick walls made from packed earth and stand close together, with narrow alleys weaving between them to form a lived-in neighborhood.
The village has a history spanning several centuries and was once an important stop for travelers and traders moving through this region of China. The earthen buildings were originally built to protect families from enemies and wild animals and remain today as timeless markers of ancient Chinese village life.
The village takes its name from the river flowing through it, which translates to cloud and water jasmine. Local residents keep their heritage alive through handmade crafts like papermaking and reed weaving that you can observe while walking through the narrow streets.
The village is easy to reach by bus or car from nearby cities and is best explored on foot to fully take in the alleys, river crossings, and details of the old houses. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit when the weather is mild and the air is pleasant.
The Hegui Lou Building is the largest rectangular earthen house in the region and stands out with its unusual shape among the mostly round and square buildings. The village has been used as a film set for several Chinese movies but remains a quiet spot without large crowds of tourists.
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