Tibetan-style houses embellish Sichuan

　　BEIJING, Oct.8 (Xinhuanet) -- White Tibetan-style houses with shining golden roofs and gorgeous paintings on the eaves are spotted here, there and everywhere in Daofu County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China‘s Sichuan Province.

　　File photo shows the exterior of a Tibetan-style house in Daofu County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China‘s Sichuan Province. (Xinhua Photo)

　　Such a spacious and comfortable living space even makes many urban residents envious. Silang Zhaxi, an artisan in building Tibetan-style houses, said that the Tibetan people value their housing conditions very much and are generous in building houses.

　　In Danba County, the Tibetan-style fort-shaped houses are found in woods, with prayer flags fluttering in the air, which present a charming scenery.

　　But 50 years ago, Garze was totally different, with monasteries and government offices being the most conspicuous architectures. The majority of the people lived in shabby houses and some even lived in shacks or caves.

　　Baosheng, a senior citizen of Danba County, said that great changes dated from 1956 when Garze carried out the democratic reform. Since the reform and opening up drive was initiated in 1979, rapid economic development has led to the improvement of living conditions, and the traditional Tibetan culture, especially architectural culture, has been passed down and carried forward.

　　File photo shows the exterior of the house of Baosheng, a villager of Danba County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China‘s Sichuan Province. (Xinhua Photo)

　　To encourage the locals to be engaged in the tourism sector to increase their incomes, the Government of Danba County has extended low-interest loans to them to rebuild their houses, but only on condition that the traditional appearance of houses will not be changed.　

　　In the 1980s, Chongweng Tamu, a villager of Daofu County, and her daughter set up a highland barley liquor factory and have taken the path of prosperity since then. Ten years ago, they had a two-story Tibetan-style house built, which might cost one million yuan RMB (146,000 U.S. dollars) at present.

　　The improved living standard makes the Tibetan people more particular about the quality of their houses. Silang Zhaxi said some of his customers even asked him to paint gold powder on their houses, which could be afforded only by monasteries in the past. "This indicates that the Tibetan people have been prosperous."

　　In the present-day Daofu County, the Tibetan-style "villas" coexist with modern architectures. Turning around a street flanked by Tibetan-style houses, one can see bustling stores, hotels and restaurants on the adjacent road.