The traditional architectural skills of the Li ethnic group are reflected in the thatched houses, and the thatched houses in this village are very typical of the boat-shaped houses of the Li people. Nowadays, the number of thatched houses in the entire Li area is not many, and Baicha Village is a village that is relatively well-preserved. The boat-shaped house is the crystallization of thousands of years of Li architecture, with simple materials but very particular construction, incorporating the architectural wisdom of the Li people. Overall, it looks like an overturned boat in shape.
The thatched house is a ground-level boat-type house, long and wide, with a low thatched eave, a style that is conducive to wind and rain protection. The house is divided into two sections, with doors at both ends, and three tall pillars standing in the middle of the thatched house, called ‘Ge E’ in the Li language, symbolizing men. On both sides, there are six shorter pillars called ‘Ge Ding’, symbolizing women, meaning a family is composed of men and women. The interior of the house is made of mud, and villagers dig clay from outside, level the ground, pour water, tread on it with their feet to flatten the surface, and dry or air-dry it. This process is repeated several times, resulting in a very flat and hard ground.
The boat-shaped houses of the Li people are similar to the stilted buildings of the Miao people and the bamboo houses of the Dai people in Yunnan, all of which are traditional architectures of ethnic minorities. On the southeast side of the village, there is a centralized granary, which is the village’s granary. The granary is built on a stone base, suspended above the ground for moisture and rat protection. Above the stone base, there are horizontal and vertical square wooden beams, with wooden boards as the granary floor. At the top, there is a round beam, and the roof is made of bamboo and wood, covered with thatch to prevent rain. The inside and outside of the granary are coated with clay and mud, and the floor is covered with a 4 cm layer of mud, all serving to seal. Fire prevention is key for thatched houses. In the village, when adults go out, they extinguish the fire with water or plant ash. If a fire breaks out, they immediately beat a gong. When people nearby hear the gong, if they do not come back to put out the fire, they will be fined three hundreds according to the village regulations, that is, a hundred kilograms of rice, a hundred kilograms of wine, and a hundred kilograms of meat. This seems to be a village regulation of Baicha Village, but in fact, it is a culture of ethnic minorities. Baicha Village has inherited the traditional Li culture. In the village, you can see elderly grandmothers weaving Li brocade, a rare weaving method – tie-dyeing, tying the thread first, then dyeing. You can also see women brewing Shanlan rice wine, a tradition that has been preserved here, with self-cultivation and self-brewing. There is also the Li people’s water-crossing gourd, a very rare means of transportation. It is said that when people cross the river, they take off their clothes, put them into the gourd, seal the mouth, and then cross the river holding the gourd. The origin of Baicha Village: Baicha Village is called ‘Bie Cha’ in the Meifu dialect, where ‘Bie’ in the Li language refers to a muddy field with water, and ‘Cha’ refers to a thick-skinned tree. At that time, there was a muddy field with water near the village, and many thick-skinned trees grew near the muddy field. They named the village ‘Bie Cha’, which means the thick-skinned trees near the muddy field. Baicha Village is a phonetic translation of the Li language.
Bai Cha Village is renowned for its distinctive boat-shaped thatched houses, which are a unique architectural feature of the region. These houses, with their sloping roofs and curved eaves, resemble traditional boats and are a testament to the village’s rich cultural heritage. The thatched roofs are crafted from locally sourced materials, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly option for housing. The design not only offers protection from the elements but also blends seamlessly with the natural landscape, creating a harmonious living environment.
The construction of these thatched houses follows a traditional method that has been passed down through generations. The villagers use locally available materials such as bamboo and straw for the framework and the roof, which are then carefully woven together. The result is a structure that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, offering excellent insulation and ventilation. The boat-shaped design also has practical benefits, as the sloping roof allows for efficient drainage during the rainy season, preventing water from accumulating inside the house.
Visiting Bai Cha Village offers a glimpse into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Tourists can experience the authentic lifestyle of the local people, participate in traditional activities, and learn about the history and culture that has shaped this unique village. The boat-shaped thatched houses are not just a place to stay but also a living museum that showcases the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the villagers.
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