By Ji Yuqiao in Handan
Driving south along County Road 209, the towering cliffs of the Taihang Mountains draw closer with every turn. Rolling down the window, one can almost touch the rugged cliffs, feel their ancient strength, and hear the whispers of history embedded deep within the stone.
Nestled in these remote mountains are traditional villages, some with histories spanning centuries, standing as testaments to the resilience and creativity of the ancestors.
During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday the road was alive with movement. Cars from across the nation made their way here. For instance, at Dawa village of Shexian county in Handan, North China’s Hebei Province, two makeshift parking lots brimmed with long lines of vehicles, testifying to the rising “village tourism” trend. Upon entering the village, the deeper allure of traditional settlements and endeavors on getting vitality back become clear.
Rural life revival
As soon as I turned into the entrance of Dawa village, I saw an electric tricycle parked by the roadside. Its owner, Zhao Mei, told me he was here to pick up guests staying at his family’s homestay. During peak tourism seasons Zhao needs to spend his entire day driving the tricycle back and forth along the road leading to the village entrance, shuttling tourists. He estimated that during recent holiday periods, the village can accommodate an average of about 10,000 visitors per day – something that was unimaginable in the past.
Dawa village is a masterpiece of stone and ingenuity. Here, not a single brick has been used. Instead, the villagers’ ancestors quarried stone from the mountains, patiently taming its sharp edges by hand.
These stones, held together with a mixture of yellow clay and wheat straw – an inherited recipe for “natural cement” – form walls that have withstood the test of time.
Standing on the stone bridge at the village entrance, I was greeted by a breathtaking sight – over 300 stone houses stacked like terraced fields, each one a testament to ancient craftsmanship.
This stonework is Dawa Village’s signature, and its preservation has been at the heart of recent revitalization efforts. Restoration initiatives have not only focused on repairing the stone houses and repaving the cobblestone paths but also on bringing the village’s rich cultural heritage to life.
The Dawa village has focused on its “stone culture,” exploring historical relics, notable figures, legends, and the essence of local folk culture. Building on the foundation of preserving and passing down its heritages, the village has undergone upgrades and transformations. New attractions such as cafés, boutique homestays, and music performances have been introduced, enriching the experience for visitors.
Visitors can now experience the charm of rural traditions in the village – from making meals on stone stoves to hearing age-old legends and folk tales. The aroma of freshly cooked food mingles with the mountain breeze, and the gentle rhythm of village life offers a stark contrast to the urban hustle. It is no wonder city dwellers are increasingly drawn here, yearning for the idyllic slow-paced lifestyle where the sound of roosters and the laughter of children fill the air.
The unique appeal of rural areas with distinctive features like Dawa village is spreading across the country. In recent years, the annual growth rate of rural tourism visits in China has exceeded 20 percent. In the first quarter of this year, rural tourism across the country received a total of 707 million visitors, an 8.9 percent year-on-year increase, as reported by thepaper.cn, a Chinese news portal.
“Unlike the hustle and bustle of city life, the villages deep in the Taihang Mountains help people unwind and forget their worries. Now, with renovations complete and facilities improved, these villages have become even more appealing. Almost every holiday, I find myself heading to different villages,” said Liu, a visitor from Beijing.
Tourists linger in Dawa village, North China’s Hebei Province.Rocky terraces
In the deep Taihang Mountains, there is more stone than soil. The people of local ancient villages not only use stones to build homes, but also to form terraced fields.
A short drive away, Wangjinzhuang Village, known for its terraced fields, showcases an agricultural marvel. Here, the terraces are bordered by stone embankments, creating a unique blend of rugged strength and flowing grace. These stone terraces are not just architectural feats but also ecological systems that nurture the land, and sustain the community.
The stone embankments give the terraces a striking visual appeal, blending harmoniously with the surrounding mountains. The hues of crops, framed by the gray of stone walls, create a landscape that feels like a living painting.
This harmony between human ingenuity and natural beauty highlights the villagers’ deep understanding of their environment, a knowledge passed down through generations. Today, the preservation and promotion of this terraced culture have breathed new life into the village, attracting tourists from all over China and beyond.
Each village in the Taihang Mountains tells its own story, offering visitors a glimpse into a way of life that is both ancient and enduring.
From the intricate stonework of Dawa to the terraced fields of Wangjinzhuang, every settlement has its distinct character and charm. What unites them is the concept of “living heritage” – a dynamic approach to cultural preservation that does not merely freeze history but allows it to evolve and thrive.
