Yangchan Tulou: A unique tulou complex.

Yangchan Tulou in Shexian County, southern Anhui, has a long history. A Zheng family moved from Henan to Dingtan, northern Shexian, in the Song Dynasty, and then moved to Yangchan in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. The village is backed by mountains on three sides, with streams flowing through the valleys. It faces the sun, hence the name "Yang" (meaning "sun" in Chinese). The mountains are steep, hence the name "Chan" (meaning "steep" in Chinese). Therefore, the family named the village "Yangchan." The village is built on the mountain slope, with tulou as the main building. The walls are made of rammed earth with bamboo strips as reinforcement and wooden beams. The walls are thick, warm in winter, and cool in summer. For hundreds of years, the villagers have lived and worked here in peace and contentment. The village is built along the mountain, with winding stone steps and roads. The roof of the lower house is level with the courtyard of the upper house, forming a layered structure. The walls are mostly yellow with white in between, which is unique among the Hui-style buildings with black tiles and white walls in southern Anhui. This is also the reason why travelers are eager to visit. A visit to Yangchan Tulou is definitely worth it.