Yaodongs: Cave dwellings of the ancient world

The population of the world today is greater than any period in history, and it is expected to increase exponentially in the next couple of decades. This has caused concern for some as to whether the earth’s resources will continue to be able to sustain human life. As a result, much effort has been done to find ‘green’ alternatives, such as solar energy and organic produce. Yet, such green technology need not always depend on cutting-edge research, as we can look at the ancient world for exemplars of green alternatives. One such example is the Yaodong, a form of dwelling that can be found throughout China.

In the Chinese language, Yaodong means ‘kiln cave’, aptly named due to the building’s arched interior, which looks like the inside of a kiln. These Yaodongs are commonly found in the north central provinces of China such as Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu and Henan, which are located on the Loess Plateau.