Mar 17, 2024, 01:41 PM IST
Beiying Village in China offers a glimpse into a subterranean world where thousands of people live in underground houses known as Dikengyuan.
Beiying Village in North China houses thousands of people in underground dwellings, resembling caves.
These houses, called Dikengyuan, are centuries-old and were originally built to combat extreme weather conditions.
The Loess Plateau's soft yellow soil made it easy to dig these underground houses without the need for additional support.
Traditional Dikengyuan provide natural cooling in hot summers and insulation during harsh winters.
These underground courtyards can reach up to 39 feet in height and 33 feet in depth.
In 2011, the Chinese government recognized these dwellings as intangible cultural heritage.
Beiying Village attracts a large number of tourists who come to witness this unique underground lifestyle.
Some developers have constructed modern amenities like hotels and reinforced concrete houses within the village.
Similar cave dwellings exist in other parts of China, such as Yanan in Shaanxi province, once used by Mao Zedong and his associates.