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Home Stay in China –
Hougou Village Cave Dwelling
Hougou Village, Dongzhao County, Yuci District, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
Overview
A unique opportunity to stay and capture a perfect understanding of typical Chinese village culture and daily life in a part of China well off the tourist trail.
Up to four people can be accommodated in these two rooms. If there are more than four, please email us as there is a family next door that are willing to help out. We are totally committed to show you the real China.
Hougou village is situated in Shanxi Province and home to 200 people. (Shanxi borders Shaanxi where the Terracotta Warriors are found). The village is located only 45 minutes drive from Taiyuan, a city reached by a train or coach from Beijing. The family are not English speaking but it's normal procedure for your english-speaking guide to stay in the village (not in your room), while you are there.
The village has proudly preserved its original Chinese-style architecture. There is one small shop in the village to serve the 200 villagers, where bottled water and everyday items can be purchased. There is fascinating local market held every Friday where local produce is sold. If possible, we will try to arrange your time in the village so you are there on a Friday. The average time spent here is 2 or 3 nights.
The villagers still prefer to live in the cave dwellings even though they have enough money to build new brick houses, this is traditional architecture found in this part of North China. It's cool in the summer and warm in the winter months if you wrap up a little.
About the family
The Hou family have lived in this tiny village for centuries. The main job of the family is, and always has been; farming. The family have a small farm with about 20 acres. Their philosophy is to "enjoy local life and work for as long as possible". You are very welcome to spend time learning and even helping in the farm Mr.Hou and his wife have two daughters. One, the elder, is 24 and now a post graduate student in Hunan Province at the Science and Technology University. The younger daughter is 18 years old and studies in Changzhi at the medical college. Mr and Mrs Hou are very proud of having been able to support both children through various local schools and on to further education.
Rooms
This, as is the case of all of our home stays, will meet all your basic requirements. Here in Hougou there are two inter-joining rooms; one modern double bed and an ancient heated stone bed. Both have modern mattresses and are warm and comfortable. The heated stone bed is very traditional in this part of China.
You will be well looked after in comfortable surroundings including western style toilets. However, this is not luxury accommodation – if it was a luxury hotel room you would not experience this aspect of typical rural village life. You will not find any other company in the UK offering such a unique aspect to a package holiday in China.
Things to do
You will see how the community operates first-hand, the main crops from the village are potato and sweet corn. However, the village is famous in Dongzhao county for its production of bean curd and local "sorghum" wine. The family will be able to show you how these goods are produced. There are many other attractions which surround the village that you will be able to visit. Alternatively, you are welcome just to watch and relax, you will not be bored. If cooking is an interest then you will not be short of tuition and inspiration. There is a fascinating local market held every Friday where the local produce is sold, we will always try to coincide your time in the village on a Friday. We can also arrange for you to visit the local school, the children would love to hear you read something in english to them.
Getting There / Location
The best route we will suggest in your itinerary is to meet you at Taiyuan railway station (45 minutes away from Hougou village by car) via the bullet train from Beijing. We will then drive you to Hougou to start your home stay. When you have finished your stay with the family we would suggest you move onwards to Xi'an via the overnight train from Taiyuan, which leaves Taiyuan around 8pm. You will arrive in Xi'an at 7am the next morning to continue your China experience. (This overnight train trip will be in a private compartment).
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