Latest news with #Guizhou
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Chinese man defies demolition orders to build madcap 10-storey rural home
XINGYI (China), June 8 — Surrounded by the rubble of demolished homes, Chen Tianming's ramshackle tower of faded plyboards and contorted beams juts into the sky in southwestern China, a teetering monument to one man's stubbornness. Authorities razed most of Chen's village in Guizhou province in 2018 to build a lucrative tourist resort in a region known for its spectacular rice paddies and otherworldly mountain landscapes. Chen, 42, refused to leave, and after the project faltered, defied a flurry of demolition notices to build his family's humble stone bungalow higher and higher. He now presides over a bewildering 10-storey, pyramid-shaped warren of rickety staircases, balconies and other add-ons, drawing comparisons in Chinese media to the fantastical creations of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. 'I started building out of practicality, trying to renovate and expand our home,' Chen told AFP on a sweltering May afternoon as he climbed ladders and ducked wooden beams in his labyrinthine construction. 'But then it became more of an interest and hobby that I enjoyed,' he said. Chen's obsessive tinkering and lack of building permits continue to draw ire from the local government. The higher floors where he sleeps sway in the wind, and dozens of ropes and cables tether the house to the ground as if the whole thing might one day float away. 'When I'm up here... I get the sense of being a nomad,' Chen said, gazing out at apartment blocks, an airport and distant mountains. 'People often say it's unsafe and should be demolished... but I'll definitely never let anyone tear it down.' This picture taken on May 20, 2025 shows Chen Tianming standing in front of his house labelled China's strangest "nail house" -- households that refuse to move in the face of development plans in Xingyi, in southwest Guizhou province. — AFP pic 'Nail house' Local authorities once had big plans to build an 800-acre tourist resort — including a theatre and artificial lake — on Chen's native soil. They promised to compensate villagers, but Chen's parents refused, and he vowed to help them protect the home his grandfather had built in the 1980s. Even as neighbours moved out and their houses were bulldozed, Chen stayed put, even sleeping alone in the house for two months 'in case (developers) came to knock it down in the night'. Six months later, like many ill-considered development projects in highly indebted Guizhou, the resort was cancelled. Virtually alone among the ruined village, Chen was now master of a 'nail house' — a Chinese term for those whose owners dig in and refuse to relocate despite official compensation offers. A quirk of China's rampant development and partial private property laws, nail houses sometimes make headlines for delaying money-spinning construction projects or forcing developers to divert roads or build around shabby older homes. Even as Chen forged ahead, completing the fifth floor in 2019, the sixth in 2022 and the seventh in 2023, he continued to receive threats of demolition. Last August, his home was designated an illegal construction, and he was ordered to destroy everything except the original bungalow within five days. He says he has spent tens of thousands of yuan fighting the notices in court, despite losing several preliminary hearings. But he continues to appeal, and the next hearing has been delayed. 'I'm not worried. Now that there's no one developing the land, there's no need for them to knock the place down', he said. Tourist attraction In recent years, ironically, Chen's house has begun to lure a steady trickle of tourists itself. On Chinese social media, users describe it as China's strangest nail house, likening it to the madcap buildings in Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli masterpieces 'Howl's Moving Castle' and 'Spirited Away'. As dusk falls, Chen illuminates his home with decorative lanterns, and people gather on the nearby dirt road to admire the scene. 'It's beautiful,' local resident He Diezhen told AFP as she snapped photos. 'If there are no safety issues, it could become an (official) local landmark,' she said. Chen said the house makes many visitors remember their whimsical childhood fantasies. '(People) dream of building a house for themselves with their own hands... but most can't make it happen,' he told AFP. 'I not only thought of it, I made it a reality.' — AFP
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
Chinese man defies demolition orders to build madcap rural home
XINGYI, Guizhou: Surrounded by the rubble of demolished homes, Chen Tianming's ramshackle tower of faded plyboards and contorted beams juts into the sky in southwestern China, a teetering monument to one man's stubbornness. Authorities razed most of Chen's village in Guizhou province in 2018 to build a lucrative tourist resort in a region known for its spectacular rice paddies and otherworldly mountain landscapes. Chen, 42, refused to leave, and after the project faltered, defied a flurry of demolition notices to build his family's humble stone bungalow higher and higher. He now presides over a bewildering 10-storey, pyramid-shaped warren of rickety staircases, balconies and other add-ons, drawing comparisons in Chinese media to the fantastical creations of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. "I started building out of practicality, trying to renovate and expand our home," Chen told AFP on a sweltering May afternoon as he climbed ladders and ducked wooden beams in his labyrinthine construction. "But then it became more of an interest and hobby that I enjoyed," he said. Chen's obsessive tinkering and lack of building permits continue to draw ire from the local government. The higher floors where he sleeps sway in the wind, and dozens of ropes and cables tether the house to the ground as if the whole thing might one day float away. "When I'm up here ... I get the sense of being a nomad," Chen said, gazing out at apartment blocks, an airport and distant mountains. "People often say it's unsafe and should be demolished ... but I'll definitely never let anyone tear it down." "NAIL HOUSE" Local authorities once had big plans to build an 324-ha tourist resort - including a theatre and artificial lake - on Chen's native soil. They promised to compensate villagers, but Chen's parents refused, and he vowed to help them protect the home his grandfather had built in the 1980s. Even as neighbours moved out and their houses were bulldozed, Chen stayed put, even sleeping alone in the house for two months "in case (developers) came to knock it down in the night". Six months later, like many ill-considered development projects in highly indebted Guizhou, the resort was cancelled. Virtually alone among the ruined village, Chen was now master of a "nail house" - a Chinese term for those whose owners dig in and refuse to relocate despite official compensation offers. A quirk of China's rampant development and partial private property laws, nail houses sometimes make headlines for delaying money-spinning construction projects or forcing developers to divert roads or build around shabby older homes. Even as Chen forged ahead, completing the fifth floor in 2019, the sixth in 2022 and the seventh in 2023, he continued to receive threats of demolition. Last August, his home was designated an illegal construction, and he was ordered to destroy everything except the original bungalow within five days. He says he has spent tens of thousands of yuan fighting the notices in court, despite losing several preliminary hearings. But he continues to appeal, and the next hearing has been delayed. "I'm not worried. Now that there's no one developing the land, there's no need for them to knock the place down", he said. TOURIST ATTRACTION In recent years, ironically, Chen's house has begun to lure a steady trickle of tourists itself. On Chinese social media, users describe it as China's strangest nail house, likening it to the madcap buildings in Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli masterpieces "Howl's Moving Castle" and "Spirited Away". As dusk falls, Chen illuminates his home with decorative lanterns, and people gather on the nearby dirt road to admire the scene. "It's beautiful," local resident He Diezhen told AFP as she snapped photos. "If there are no safety issues, it could become an (official) local landmark," she said. Chen said the house makes many visitors remember their whimsical childhood fantasies. "(People) dream of building a house for themselves with their own hands ... but most can't make it happen," he told AFP.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Chinese man defies demolition orders to build madcap rural home
XINGYI, China: Surrounded by the rubble of demolished homes, Chen Tianming's ramshackle tower of faded plyboards and contorted beams juts into the sky in southwestern China, a teetering monument to one man's stubbornness. Authorities razed most of Chen's village in Guizhou province in 2018 to build a lucrative tourist resort in a region known for its spectacular rice paddies and otherworldly mountain landscapes. Chen, 42, refused to leave, and after the project faltered, defied a flurry of demolition notices to build his family's humble stone bungalow higher and higher. He now presides over a bewildering 10-storey, pyramid-shaped warren of rickety staircases, balconies and other add-ons, drawing comparisons in Chinese media to the fantastical creations of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. 'I started building out of practicality, trying to renovate and expand our home,' Chen said on a sweltering May afternoon as he climbed ladders and ducked wooden beams in his labyrinthine construction. 'But then it became more of an interest and hobby that I enjoyed,' he said. Chen's obsessive tinkering and lack of building permits continue to draw ire from the local government. The higher floors where he sleeps sway in the wind, and dozens of ropes and cables tether the house to the ground as if the whole thing might one day float away. 'When I'm up here... I get the sense of being a nomad,' Chen said, gazing out at apartment blocks, an airport and distant mountains. 'People often say it's unsafe and should be demolished... but I'll definitely never let anyone tear it down.' Local authorities once had big plans to build an 800-acre tourist resort — including a theater and artificial lake — on Chen's native soil. They promised to compensate villagers, but Chen's parents refused, and he vowed to help them protect the home his grandfather had built in the 1980s. Even as neighbors moved out and their houses were bulldozed, Chen stayed put, even sleeping alone in the house for two months 'in case (developers) came to knock it down in the night.' Six months later, like many ill-considered development projects in highly indebted Guizhou, the resort was canceled. Virtually alone among the ruined village, Chen was now master of a 'nail house' — a Chinese term for those whose owners dig in and refuse to relocate despite official compensation offers. A quirk of China's rampant development and partial private property laws, nail houses sometimes make headlines for delaying money-spinning construction projects or forcing developers to divert roads or build around shabby older homes. Even as Chen forged ahead, completing the fifth floor in 2019, the sixth in 2022 and the seventh in 2023, he continued to receive threats of demolition. Last August, his home was designated an illegal construction, and he was ordered to destroy everything except the original bungalow within five days. He says he has spent tens of thousands of yuan fighting the notices in court, despite losing several preliminary hearings. But he continues to appeal, and the next hearing has been delayed. 'I'm not worried. Now that there's no one developing the land, there's no need for them to knock the place down,' he said. In recent years, ironically, Chen's house has begun to lure a steady trickle of tourists itself. On Chinese social media, users describe it as China's strangest nail house, likening it to the madcap buildings in Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli masterpieces 'Howl's Moving Castle' and 'Spirited Away.' As dusk falls, Chen illuminates his home with decorative lanterns, and people gather on the nearby dirt road to admire the scene. 'It's beautiful,' local resident He Diezhen said as she snapped photos. 'If there are no safety issues, it could become an (official) local landmark,' she said. Chen said the house makes many visitors remember their whimsical childhood fantasies. '(People) dream of building a house for themselves with their own hands... but most can't make it happen,' he said. 'I not only thought of it, I made it a reality.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Chinese man defies demolition orders to build madcap rural home
Surrounded by the rubble of demolished homes, Chen Tianming's ramshackle tower of faded plyboards and contorted beams juts into the sky in southwestern China, a teetering monument to one man's stubbornness. Authorities razed most of Chen's village in Guizhou province in 2018 to build a lucrative tourist resort in a region known for its spectacular rice paddies and otherworldly mountain landscapes. Chen, 42, refused to leave, and after the project faltered, defied a flurry of demolition notices to build his family's humble stone bungalow higher and higher. He now presides over a bewildering 10-storey, pyramid-shaped warren of rickety staircases, balconies and other add-ons, drawing comparisons in Chinese media to the fantastical creations of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. "I started building out of practicality, trying to renovate and expand our home," Chen told AFP on a sweltering May afternoon as he climbed ladders and ducked wooden beams in his labyrinthine construction. "But then it became more of an interest and hobby that I enjoyed," he said. Chen's obsessive tinkering and lack of building permits continue to draw ire from the local government. The higher floors where he sleeps sway in the wind, and dozens of ropes and cables tether the house to the ground as if the whole thing might one day float away. "When I'm up here... I get the sense of being a nomad," Chen said, gazing out at apartment blocks, an airport and distant mountains. "People often say it's unsafe and should be demolished... but I'll definitely never let anyone tear it down." - 'Nail house' - Local authorities once had big plans to build an 800-acre tourist resort -- including a theatre and artificial lake -- on Chen's native soil. They promised to compensate villagers, but Chen's parents refused, and he vowed to help them protect the home his grandfather had built in the 1980s. Even as neighbours moved out and their houses were bulldozed, Chen stayed put, even sleeping alone in the house for two months "in case (developers) came to knock it down in the night". Six months later, like many ill-considered development projects in highly indebted Guizhou, the resort was cancelled. Virtually alone among the ruined village, Chen was now master of a "nail house" -- a Chinese term for those whose owners dig in and refuse to relocate despite official compensation offers. A quirk of China's rampant development and partial private property laws, nail houses sometimes make headlines for delaying money-spinning construction projects or forcing developers to divert roads or build around shabby older homes. Even as Chen forged ahead, completing the fifth floor in 2019, the sixth in 2022 and the seventh in 2023, he continued to receive threats of demolition. Last August, his home was designated an illegal construction, and he was ordered to destroy everything except the original bungalow within five days. He says he has spent tens of thousands of yuan fighting the notices in court, despite losing several preliminary hearings. But he continues to appeal, and the next hearing has been delayed. "I'm not worried. Now that there's no one developing the land, there's no need for them to knock the place down", he said. - Tourist attraction - In recent years, ironically, Chen's house has begun to lure a steady trickle of tourists itself. On Chinese social media, users describe it as China's strangest nail house, likening it to the madcap buildings in Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli masterpieces "Howl's Moving Castle" and "Spirited Away". As dusk falls, Chen illuminates his home with decorative lanterns, and people gather on the nearby dirt road to admire the scene. "It's beautiful," local resident He Diezhen told AFP as she snapped photos. "If there are no safety issues, it could become an (official) local landmark," she said. Chen said the house makes many visitors remember their whimsical childhood fantasies. "(People) dream of building a house for themselves with their own hands... but most can't make it happen," he told AFP. "I not only thought of it, I made it a reality." sam/mjw/je/hmn
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The "Tea for Harmony - Amazing Guizhou" Guizhou Culture and Tourism Promotion Event in Sweden Was Successfully Held
Ao Kemo, Deputy Director General of Department of Culture and Tourism of Guizhou Province, delivers a speech Ambassador Cui Aimin and the guests pause to watch the wonderful Guizhou song and dance performance. STOCKHOLM, June 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On June 1st, the "Tea for Harmony - Amazing Guizhou" Guizhou Culture and Tourism Promotion Event in Sweden was successfully held in Stockholm. Chinese Ambassador to Sweden Cui Aimin, Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dag Hartelius, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Sweden, Director of the China Cultural Center in Stockholm Li Rui, and nearly 300 guests from various Swedish circles, overseas Chinese in Sweden, Chinese-funded institutions, and representatives of Chinese students gathered together to embark on a colorful journey to the "Mountain Park Province" In his speech, Ao Kemo, Deputy Director General of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guizhou Province, focused on the three core elements of "resources, market sources, and services," as well as the unique tourism brand. He elaborated succinctly on the unique strengths of Guizhou, including its cultural treasures, natural gems, and the 240-hour transit visa exemption policy. He stated that Guizhou is committed to building itself into a world-class tourist destination and warmly welcomes Swedish tourists to visit and experience it firsthand. Peter Hellman, a senior Swedish tourism analyst and senior advisor of Style Scandinavia, promoted Guizhou based on his multiple inspection experiences there. Mattias Lin and Axel Kierkegaard, prominent Swedish travel influencers, highlighted Guizhou's unique tourism resources, dynamic outdoor activities, and delicious culinary culture from their international viewpoints, effectively showcasing its cultural and tourism appeal. The promotion event venue featured exhibition booths highlighting Guizhou's ethnic culture and a 'Fragrant Guizhou Tea' display area. An artistic performance by the troupe from Qiandongnan Prefecture of Guizhou Province was also presented. With its unparalleled natural wonders and profound cultural heritage, Guizhou has successfully unveiled the charm of the 'Fascinating Guizhou, a Heaven of Myriad Mountains' in Sweden. On May 9th, China and Sweden celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. At the "Hello! China" Dragon Boat Festival Garden Party held on May 31st, Guizhou's excellent performances and comprehensive displays attracted active participation from the local community. This has further enhanced cultural exchanges and friendly ties between the two countries. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: CONTACT: Culture and Tourism Department of Guizhou Province May Mou wzglb@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
