Nick, great video. These kind of village/forts were part of the Great Wall defense system. Sometimes the nomads in the north breaks through the great wall, then these kind of high walled forts protects the local farmers. As Chinese we have seen too many old buildings/cities/towns. Not many people are interested in visiting these places. To give you an idea, when I was attending university back in the 80s, we used to bike out of town for fun. Before we know it, we found a valley with a stream, there stood a 4 door pagoda built 2500 years ago. One day we followed a different direction to see the fall foliage, somehow we got into a valley, at the end of the valley, there's huge waterfall, and the water fall went through a Buddhist Temple, and the Monk told us the temple was built back in the Tang Dynasty, The stone monument recorded the building and finishing date: started A.C. 624, completed A.C. 638. If you like old relics, you should consider travel west. Like when I drove a car from the city you're in now, Xi'an, all the way to Kashgar, almost all the old buildings were from the Tang Dynasty. Btw, back in the Tang Dynasty, the west regional government （安西都护府）was located in today's Samarqand, Uzbekistan. That vividly depicts how much territory and power the Middle Kingdom has lost over the years.
Thanks so much for this comment! I have a bit of a personal goal of visiting all the remaining Tang dynasty pagodas in China....there are roughly 40 left. Any information you have would be GREATLY appreciated! You went there in the 80's?? I can't imagine how different that must be from now..
@@nickinchina2552 Yes, I searched on google map and actually found its location: 36.438814475240605, 117.11358356407537 It is called 四门塔，looks like the place changed a lot. It was built in the year AC 611. You can get there by taking HSR to Jinan, Shandong first.
Thanks Nick for the introduction. Your exploration has increased my understanding of tourism. Usually people are always used to going to famous scenic spots. Over-developed commercial scenic spots make people feel bored, but few people know about the gold buried in the gravel.
@@nickinchina2552 your trip is priceless, I don't know how many people would have the opportunities to dig out these places and fully emerge into the "China" taste, it's way off the tourist routes. My wife's family was from Shanxi, I remotely planned go explore the province myself, but never got a chance. We travelled back to Datong to see her grandparents around 20 years ago, very warm family and nice people, but never ever got another chance again. The old generation all faded away, deeply sad and nostalgic.
It seems that ancient Chinese people had a higher aesthetic taste, these ancient buildings are much much more beautiful than the vulgar buildings of modern Chinese people, pure oriental charm.
You're welcome! I really thought the town that you just visited might have been Xiangyu as they look similar. The nice thing is both places don't look too touristy, and because they're made of brick (not the preferred building material in China, it seems) they're well-preserved.@@nickinchina2552
This was very fascinating and curiously, anxiety--inducing! In a place with so much delicate, irreparable architecture, I would be on eggshells the whole time and almost single--mindedly fixated on being in compliance with all rules of that place. I'd also be so weirded out by the lack of people, the quietness, and the communication of seemingly, very important rules by mere signposts that I could easily miss. I would find the noise from a tour group strangely comforting lol. With you whispering and your camera moving in front of you and occasionally facing forward, it felt like a horror movie, especially when you're turning corners. I thought someone was going to jump out and start scolding you for something~ (I'm probably just projecting my trauma from interactions with irritable and abrasive librarians/museum curators lol) I see what looks like air conditioners on the walls outside some of the residential portions of Guoyu. I always wonder, if even present, how modern plumbing is brought about in old places, like Guoyu, without destroying too much history.
I also think this is a very creepy video. I should have put suspense horror music over the top of it! Guoyu is an unsual place, It was SO quiet, felt like an imposter walking around there. I'm not sure how many people still live there, but i guess the houses are relatively modernized? air con etc.
OMG, Nick, when the doors to the walled city was locked, the image of you climbing up the mountain in the chase of the four famous temples/pagodas came into mind. Just as well they have an entrance where you can purchase a ticket to sight the relics. Disappointed that the residents thought it was okay to paint those silly graffiti of the young nymphs listening to a mobile telephone/hand phone. But I guess it is better than the rubbish graffiti that dot the empty walls of western cities. Notice the bricks size and style is reminiscing of that of the Great Wall and also the Dutch build buildings in my hometown of Malacca.
Quite an unusual place this to be honest, not entirely sure how i felt about it haha. Some lovely architecture though and that is a VERY serious city wall!. Love Malacca 😍😍
Interesting tidbit about the spirit wall. Great that you found another piece of real ancient China. Btw that place seems to be well PREPARED for tourist groups considering the signage and how well maintained everything was. If not many tourists visit that place it might be because it has no high speed rail station yet?
It is really well prepared for tourists...but where are they?! The closest high speed rail link is not far away to be honest. Also, just 5 minutes down the road is another place that was full of tourists...(next video)
Another great find! I actually don’t mind the quasi old or the new old. And if people are still living in them, some repairs must be done otherwise it is not safe. Even the brand new old is part of the cultural lineage. It’s about renewal. A stagnant culture won’t survive and indeed it almost did not survive the foreign invasions of the last centuries. The Chinese reflected on this and have mixed feelings about old things
This place is genuinely old. What i mean is complete new build 'old towns' Somewhere like the tourist side of Wuzhen springs to mind. It's just not my thing but i can see why many people would enjoy it. Good for a photo etc
I spent quite some time studying this piece of history, my understanding is that China was determined to survive and bounce back. Each generation, from Qing all the way to today, all paid their effort to revive China. With such a people and culture, this effort definitely showed its effect.
Nick, great video. These kind of village/forts were part of the Great Wall defense system. Sometimes the nomads in the north breaks through the great wall, then these kind of high walled forts protects the local farmers. As Chinese we have seen too many old buildings/cities/towns. Not many people are interested in visiting these places. To give you an idea, when I was attending university back in the 80s, we used to bike out of town for fun. Before we know it, we found a valley with a stream, there stood a 4 door pagoda built 2500 years ago. One day we followed a different direction to see the fall foliage, somehow we got into a valley, at the end of the valley, there's huge waterfall, and the water fall went through a Buddhist Temple, and the Monk told us the temple was built back in the Tang Dynasty, The stone monument recorded the building and finishing date: started A.C. 624, completed A.C. 638. If you like old relics, you should consider travel west. Like when I drove a car from the city you're in now, Xi'an, all the way to Kashgar, almost all the old buildings were from the Tang Dynasty.
Btw, back in the Tang Dynasty, the west regional government （安西都护府）was located in today's Samarqand, Uzbekistan. That vividly depicts how much territory and power the Middle Kingdom has lost over the years.
Thanks so much for this comment! I have a bit of a personal goal of visiting all the remaining Tang dynasty pagodas in China....there are roughly 40 left. Any information you have would be GREATLY appreciated!
You went there in the 80's?? I can't imagine how different that must be from now..
@@nickinchina2552 Yes, I searched on google map and actually found its location: 36.438814475240605, 117.11358356407537
It is called 四门塔，looks like the place changed a lot. It was built in the year AC 611. You can get there by taking HSR to Jinan, Shandong first.
Awesome as always, so fascinating, China always surprising. Thank you for your videos Nick!
Thanks so much! It is quite a fascinating place, a glimpse into the past
Thanks Nick for the introduction. Your exploration has increased my understanding of tourism. Usually people are always used to going to famous scenic spots. Over-developed commercial scenic spots make people feel bored, but few people know about the gold buried in the gravel.
Welcome as always! Thanks for commenting. There are plenty of gems to be found in China!
Fascinating!
Certainly is a fascinating place!
@@nickinchina2552 your trip is priceless, I don't know how many people would have the opportunities to dig out these places and fully emerge into the "China" taste, it's way off the tourist routes. My wife's family was from Shanxi, I remotely planned go explore the province myself, but never got a chance. We travelled back to Datong to see her grandparents around 20 years ago, very warm family and nice people, but never ever got another chance again. The old generation all faded away, deeply sad and nostalgic.
Yes, this is history. Imagine people's life here in the Ming Dynasty!
I bet it was noiser during the Ming dynasty! hahaha
Amazing place
One of the better old towns I have been to in China
Love the places you go Nick. Appreciate your efforts. Beers on me when I finally move to China 😉
You are moving here? good for you! What's your plan?
It seems that ancient Chinese people had a higher aesthetic taste, these ancient buildings are much much more beautiful than the vulgar buildings of modern Chinese people, pure oriental charm.
Modern buildings serve their function I suppose, but yeh...classical Chinese architecture is truly beautiful design. I know which i prefer to see!
Very impressive wall. No body build walls like the Chinese.
for real, walls everywhere 😂
How do you get to these places? Are you driving a car or takign public transport or something like Didi?
trains, buses, taxis, didis. Actually not as tricky as you might think, high speed rail can get you to a lot of places now
thank you @@nickinchina2552
Interesting place. It looks well taken care of by the local. Tourist attractions are well developed in China.
It was clean and tidy, a nice place to wander and get lost in!
This reminds me of Xiangyu castle town. Maybe that should be your next stop! Or...is this part of Xiangyu?
I shall look into it! Thanks for the recommendation!
You're welcome! I really thought the town that you just visited might have been Xiangyu as they look similar. The nice thing is both places don't look too touristy, and because they're made of brick (not the preferred building material in China, it seems) they're well-preserved.@@nickinchina2552
did you film it with your phone or a camare?
I'm using a gopro, but also have a DJI Pocket 2 in case of emergencies haha
This was very fascinating and curiously, anxiety--inducing! In a place with so much delicate, irreparable architecture, I would be on eggshells the whole time and almost single--mindedly fixated on being in compliance with all rules of that place. I'd also be so weirded out by the lack of people, the quietness, and the communication of seemingly, very important rules by mere signposts that I could easily miss. I would find the noise from a tour group strangely comforting lol. With you whispering and your camera moving in front of you and occasionally facing forward, it felt like a horror movie, especially when you're turning corners. I thought someone was going to jump out and start scolding you for something~ (I'm probably just projecting my trauma from interactions with irritable and abrasive librarians/museum curators lol)
I see what looks like air conditioners on the walls outside some of the residential portions of Guoyu. I always wonder, if even present, how modern plumbing is brought about in old places, like Guoyu, without destroying too much history.
I also think this is a very creepy video. I should have put suspense horror music over the top of it! Guoyu is an unsual place, It was SO quiet, felt like an imposter walking around there. I'm not sure how many people still live there, but i guess the houses are relatively modernized? air con etc.
OMG, Nick, when the doors to the walled city was locked, the image of you climbing up the mountain in the chase of the four famous temples/pagodas came into mind. Just as well they have an entrance where you can purchase a ticket to sight the relics. Disappointed that the residents thought it was okay to paint those silly graffiti of the young nymphs listening to a mobile telephone/hand phone. But I guess it is better than the rubbish graffiti that dot the empty walls of western cities. Notice the bricks size and style is reminiscing of that of the Great Wall and also the Dutch build buildings in my hometown of Malacca.
Quite an unusual place this to be honest, not entirely sure how i felt about it haha. Some lovely architecture though and that is a VERY serious city wall!. Love Malacca 😍😍
Interesting tidbit about the spirit wall. Great that you found another piece of real ancient China. Btw that place seems to be well PREPARED for tourist groups considering the signage and how well maintained everything was. If not many tourists visit that place it might be because it has no high speed rail station yet?
It is really well prepared for tourists...but where are they?! The closest high speed rail link is not far away to be honest. Also, just 5 minutes down the road is another place that was full of tourists...(next video)
Wonder if it will still be standing in another 100 years ?
For sure! 100%!
I do miss the blaring announcements.
Yeh they really add to the feel of a place 😂😂
Another great find!
I actually don’t mind the quasi old or the new old. And if people are still living in them, some repairs must be done otherwise it is not safe. Even the brand new old is part of the cultural lineage. It’s about renewal. A stagnant culture won’t survive and indeed it almost did not survive the foreign invasions of the last centuries. The Chinese reflected on this and have mixed feelings about old things
This place is genuinely old. What i mean is complete new build 'old towns' Somewhere like the tourist side of Wuzhen springs to mind. It's just not my thing but i can see why many people would enjoy it. Good for a photo etc
I spent quite some time studying this piece of history, my understanding is that China was determined to survive and bounce back. Each generation, from Qing all the way to today, all paid their effort to revive China. With such a people and culture, this effort definitely showed its effect.
5:04 idk, kind of creepy to me.
When i was editing the video, i had the same feeling...what is going to jump out of that closet! 😂😂
Sour😅