Chinese Village Traditions - Yu Lin City, Shaanxi Province, China

From £1195 per person

Tour Code: SUP_EW_ Chinese Village Traditions

Research Mission
Document the history, architecture, and folklore of a traditional Chinese village before the villagers are relocated.

Situation Report
Dang Jia Shan Village, Shaanxi Province, China — Dang Jia Shan, or the village of the Dangs, is an old mountain village of 30 households in the northern Shaanxi province of China. China is implementing a program of aiding impoverished areas, and is relocating the villagers of Dang Jia Shan to a settlement near a highway and a river in order to improve their quality of life. The villagers currently live in traditional cave dwellings, but will be moved to above-ground houses built in their new village. Dr. Anrong Dang, Dr. Jin Feng, Jiang Lu, and Yanfeng Liu want to document this generations-old traditional settlement, including its geography, architecture, interiors, and folk traditions, before the villagers are relocated. The findings of this study may have an impact on the future relocation policies as well as ways of cultural conservation.

On the Expedition
Depending on which team you join, your research efforts will either be focused on the household furniture and décor, the village oral tradition, or the relations between human settlement, lifestyle, and public health. You will help interview villagers through interpreters, and record, videotape, and photograph their every-day activities. You will measure household furniture pieces and decorative elements and take notes about local legends and stories. You will also help to collect public health data in the village. In this small village, you will be welcomed and immersed in the local culture, getting to know Chinese village life in a way few outsiders ever experience. On your days off, field trips to neighboring towns are planned.

Meals and AccommodationsYou will be living in a typical cave dwelling with a host family, so be prepared to immerse yourself in the culture. The facilities are basic, with pit toilets and water available for drinking and hand washing, and some electricity. A bathhouse is located in the nearest town, about 5 km from the village, for the occasional bath or shower. Food will be prepared for each team by a host family, and will feature mainly simple vegetarian fare, as well as steamed breads and dumplings.

Click here to visit the Chinese Village Traditions page at Earthwatch.org