High up in the southern part of Yunnan Province, far from the noise and rush of the modern world, lie the traditional villages of Mount Jingmai. A three-hour drive along winding country roads brings you to another world of wooden houses, welcoming people, and ancient tea.  

The villages here are mostly populated by the ethnic Bulang and Dai people, and their buildings reflect their cultural heritage. Also evident in the traditional architecture is the closeness of the communal ties; their stilt houses with open ground floors and unlocked doors speaking of a peaceful togetherness and the absence of any fear for one’s safety or possessions.

Some of the villages here have a history of over 1,000 years, with each village housing only a few hundred people. In total, there are 14 villages stretched out across an area roughly the size of Beijing’s Haidian District. 

However, it’s uncertain how long the traditional stilt houses and lifestyle will remain. They are under threat of disappearing, as the villagers rush to modernize. 

This has been the cue for a group of architects from Beijing to try and preserve the traditional buildings here, and with it the local culture. 

Will they be able to convince the local villagers that new is not always better or will another piece of traditional culture be lost forever to the world? Find out in this week’s episode of Rediscovering China.