China: Yunnan: #13 Exploring Tuan Shan (Part a)

Tuan Shan village is the only intact village of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).  It was inhabited by the Yi minority and some traditional Chinese Han.

DSC01159 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01159 © DY of jtdytravels

Some of the courtyard houses, built of grey mud bricks, are 600 years old.  It is said that all the houses face east and therefore catch the first rays of the sun each morning. The first old house we saw had a sign which gave the building date as 1910… so not as old as some.

DSC01162 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01162 © DY of jtdytravels

A very old covered doorway.

Many of these old doorways have a stone known as a Tai shan shi Gan Dang.  It’s believed that it can break spells and protect the house from evil and disasters.  An interpretive sign said that stone is believed to have “the cultural connocation (sic) that people wish blessings to the officials, health to the commonwealth, prevail of education and the promotion of rituals and music”.

DSC01161 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01161 © DY of jtdytravels

A fig tree with a strong hold on its wall.

DSC01164 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01164 © DY of jtdytravels

A fancy restaurant built on stilts above a lotus pond.

DSC01157 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01157 © DY of jtdytravels

The light rain had left a delicate dusting of water drops on this lotus leaf.

DSC01165 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01165 © DY of jtdytravels

Lotus seed pods about to shed their seed.

DSC01166 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01166 © DY of jtdytravels

Looking up the street to the main gate of the walled village.

DSC01167 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01167 © DY of jtdytravels

A sign we probably would not see in Australia!

DSC01168 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01168 © DY of jtdytravels

Colourful decorations

DSC01169 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01169 © DY of jtdytravels

The main East Gate of the village was built in 1904 as a two-story residence with three rooms.  It’s been an important fortification for the village.

DSC01172 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01172 © DY of jtdytravels

Another decorated man hole cover.

DSC01175 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01175 © DY of jtdytravels

The village square… a meeting place for a chat.

DSC01177 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01177 © DY of jtdytravels

Red-coloured corn

DSC01178 © DY of jrdytravels

DSC01178 © DY of jtdytravels

A peep into a small square just off the main square.

DSC01179 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01179 © DY of jtdytravels

Doorways are good places to meet… but the conversation must be somewhat boring!

DSC01179 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01179 © DY of jtdytravels

An interesting house with traditional saddle-shaped roof.

DSC01182 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01182 © DY of jtdytravels

 A sneak peak through a window into somebody’s kitchen.

DSC01184 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01184 © DY of jtdytravels

One of the rooms in a museum house

DSC01185 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01185 © DY of jtdytravels

A long bench table

DSC01186 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01186 © DY of jtdytravels

A painted door panel

DSC01187 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01187 © DY of jtdytravels

The panel on the other side of the double doors

DSC01188 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01188 © DY of jtdytravels

An ornate gateway

DSC01190 © DY of jtdytravels

DSC01190 © DY of jtdytravels

One of the courtyards in the Liuyuan Garden and Mansion which was built by Zhang Youcai in the second decade of the 20th Century.  It has 17 rooms and two courtyards.

Time for a rest… more of this village anon

David

All photographs copyright © DY  of  jtdytravels

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