a designer’s travel diary
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Hui architecture and villages: vernacular architecture in South Anhui
Anhui Province, located in the central part of China, is internationally renowned for its Yellow Mountains, one of the most majestic natural wonders in all of Asia. The region called “Huizhou” is home to several ancient architectural jewels, which includes the picturesque villages of Xidi and Hongcun, UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Each year these villages attract hundreds of thousands of visitors
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Xidi Ancient Village, historic UNESCO site at the foot of Yellow Mountains
About 40 km from the city of Huangshan in Anhui Province of China, the picturesque village of Xidi (西递镇) has a rich history spanning over 900 years. This ancient village is one of the most famous spots of Huzhou region; his perfect conservation through centuries and his cultural value worth Xidi – together with the
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Tangmo: a peaceful Hui village preserved by time
The village of Tangmo is located at the base of the Yellow Mountains, about 30km from the city of Huangshan in the Anhui Province of China. Founded during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the village developed steadily during the following dynasties, and it has mostly retained it’s rural character. Unlike Xidi and Honcun, more renowned Hui villages listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, tourism is
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Chengkan Bagua Village, the hidden gem of Anhui
Forty kilometers from Huangshan city, the village of Chengkan was founded during the Ming Dynasty (1368 A.D. – 1644 A.D.) and is one of the most beautiful villages in the Huizhou Region of Anhui Province in China.Living in the shadow of the two UNESCO Sites of Xidi and Hongcun located nearby, the village of Chengkan
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Hongcun Ancient Village: the most scenic village of Anhui
The ancient village of Hongcun, about 70 km from Huangshan, is considered the most picturesque village in the Huizhou region.With lush green hills and lotus-covered ponds and lakes, Hongcun is a truly beautiful place, enchanting thousands of visitors every year.Along with Xidi, UNESCO declared Hongcun World Heritage Site in 2000, a title that the village absolutely deserves. The unique quality and impressive
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Labrang Monastery: a window into Tibetan culture outside Tibet
Labrang Monastery (拉卜楞寺, Lābǔlèng Sì) is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating places for Tibetan Buddhist culture. Located in the town of Xiahe (夏河) in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province, China, at a height of almost 3000 m above sea level, it is one of the six most important Tibetan monasteries outside Tibet. The monks follow
What is it about?
This travel blog is born from my desire to share the architectural beauty that surrounds us.
Architecture is indeed much more than just construction techniques; it integrates: design, sociology, psychology, technology, and popular wisdom. It can be regarded as a form of art, one that we experience everyday, actively shaping our daily lives.
With my articles and my pictures I intend to show the memorable places that I have visited, as well as providing information based on my experience that may be useful for fellow travelers and architecture geeks like me.
It is my hope that it will not only inspire people to travel, but to more fully understand and appreciate the local architectural heritage of the places they visit.