China underground: Affordable and sustainable homes

In parts of China’s Loess Plateau, the landscape appears to be nothing more than rolling hills and quiet farmland. Yet beneath the surface, a hidden community thrives, literally breathing within the earth.

These cool homes, known as yaodong (cave houses) and dikengyuan (pit courtyard), are built into the earth and blend right in with the landscape, often featuring courtyards shaded by trees. They might look a bit quirky to outsiders but these homes are far from relics of the past. Many of these earthen homes are being revitalised with modern amenities for modern living in the 21st century.