From China’s Yangtze River To Cave Dwellers!
Yes, these are caves that people live in!
I have posted many stories about life in China – while I’ve not been there yet, I am fascinated by it, and want to share some interesting stories, beginning with an amazing documentary about living on China’s Yangtze River!
There is a saying:
Confucius: “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.”
Confucius may have been referring to this documentary, which takes a fascinating look at a unique, spiritual and controversial part of China!
Up The Yangtze!
I haven’t been to China, but films like this make me want to board a plane right now! This terrific documentary looks at China’s Yangtze river, and the Government’s decision to flood it – and the catastrophic impact it had on the residents there…
The film introduces you to the young men and women who live along the river, as their families geeked out a modest life as farmers and fishermen but now, the popularity of the river means these young people must take jobs on the cruise ships that glide along the ever-rising water, which will soon flood their homes…here is the trailer:
You meet these people and see how their lives are radically changed by the dam – in fact, this farm you see below no lingers exists – you actually see it flood in the movie…
These life-changing moments are shared, and it’s a sobering thing to see…while this look at a changing China is fascinating and sad, I am also amazed by another fact about the country:
30 Million People Live In Caves!
The Los Angeles Times had this incredible report from Yanan, China, describing why millions and millions of Chinese still live in caves –
YES, CAVES!
The paper reports:
The caves, called yaodong in Chinese, are usually dug into the side of a mountain. Often rice paper or blankets hang from semicircular entrances to serve as makeshift doors.
Swankier caves have several chambers and are secured with brick masonry. Some even have electricity and running water, the newspaper reported.
“Most aren’t so fancy, but I’ve seen some really beautiful caves: high ceilings and spacious with a nice yard out front where you can exercise and sit in the sun,” said Ren Shouhua, who grew up in a cave in Yanan.
A basic one-bedroom cave without plumbing rents for about $30 a month. A cave with three bedrooms and a bathroom might sell for $46,000, the Times reported.
But according to one local, many people aren’t giving up their spaces.
“A lot of people come here looking to rent our caves, but nobody wants to move out,” said Chen Wei, a 43-year-old Communist Party official who lives in a cave near Yanan.
“It’s like living in a villa,” Wei said. “Caves in our village are as comfortable as posh apartments in the city.”
Well, I don’t know about that, but it is fascinating nonetheless – and while millions live in caves, the government continues to build massive new bridges all over the country!
As you can see, people live in the shadow of these huge mega-structures…see more pics here:
Finally, these bridges are also built with glass, and guess what? They cracked!
Check out that wacky story here:
Let me know your favorite China story!
Categories: Books / Media, China, Cult Movies, documentary films, Exotic Travel, Great Films, Memoirs, Movies, Obscure Movies, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
Living in caves, eating dogs and insects, so many cultural differences that make this fascinating country so appealing for westerners to visit. My main issue when I went there was spitting. Almost everyone there spits in public, even attractive young women, police officers, business executives, taxi drivers, etc. It’s just awful!
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g294211-i642-k5305825-o10-What_s_with_all_the_spitting-China.html
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes I have read that…that would be tough to get used to indeed!
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First of all, most Chinese don’t eat their pets(exceptions exists in every country); second, there’s a huge difference in societies between popular areas and country sides. These stereotypes’re kind of frustrating……
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I did see dog-markets when I went to Beijing, and people buying them to eat, where they were killed by the vendor after purchase. And I saw very few people with pet dogs out on the streets. But I am sure that people do not eat their pets, and didn’t intend to be offensive.
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Not sure what you are taking issue with – I didn’t anything about dogs being eaten in china nor did I say a single negative word about how people in this culture live….
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Stereotypes dont just appear out of nowhere toots. So get over yourself and find something else to be frustrated about. Your name offends me by the way. Im allergic to mushrooms. You need to change that name or else im telling Nancy Pelosi.
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A country full of contradictions it seems! Still, I would love to visit someday.
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And this isn’t some sort of barbaric way to live there, it’s a cultural way of life!
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How fascinating, John. Fancy living in a cave.
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Robbie, this stuff interests me because I love to travel, and to see how different cultures live! Thanks for the comment!
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