Life Beneath The Earth: Modern Cave Living In China
A Long History Of Cave Homes: For thousands of years, people in parts of northern China have lived in homes carved into hillsides. These dwellings are known as yaodong, which means cave house. They are most common in the Loess Plateau, a region with thick, soft soil that is easy to dig into. Cave living did not begin as a sign of poverty. It developed as a practical response to the local environment. The soil is stable, and the underground space provides natural protection from harsh weather. Over time, entire communities formed around this way of living.