Daofu Tibetan Dwellings (Bengke Houses)
道孚民居
Painted wooden Tibetan houses line the Xianshui River. Their Bengke tenon-and-mortise structure resists earthquakes and is hailed as a treasure of Tibetan residential architecture.
Daofu dwellings are also known as Bengke-style architecture. They use huge timber logs as beams and pillars. Inside, one or more closed 'Bengke' chambers are formed by interlocking halved logs with tenon-and-mortise joints. The structure is strong, earthquake-resistant, and moisture-resistant. The exterior walls are red and white, and the doors and windows are finely carved and painted. The interiors are full of paintings and woodcarvings, and wealthy households can have dozens of 'kong' (bays, where four pillars make one bay).
They are widespread in the county town and along the Xianshui River valley. You can stroll around Tibetan villages on the outskirts of the county town. Some households open their homes to visitors or run guesthouses. Ask for permission before entering a home, and a small fee is usually charged for visits.
Opening hours
All day