Why do you want to build so many watchtowers in Danba, Sichuan?

Since ancient times, there have been various unique and peculiar buildings in China, such as the diaojiao building in Chongqing and the cave dwelling in Guizhou. In addition to some modern high-rise buildings with strong sense of science and technology, many buildings with not only appearance but also function have been built in China before. These buildings that Bian Xiao is going to talk about today are hidden in the depths of Sichuan mountains and have not collapsed for thousands of years. It is important that these buildings are also divided into genders.

These buildings discovered by Bian Xiao in Sichuan are called Danba Diaolou, which is a special Tibetan folk house, mainly concentrated on both sides of the valley in Danba County, western Sichuan. Both villages and ridges are distributed in groups of several towers. The tour guide told me that these towers have been inhabited since the Han Dynasty and have a history of more than 2,000 years. At their peak, it is said that the total number is as high as 10 thousand. At present, 84 towers are well preserved.

Then why did you build so many towers here before? The tour guide said that there was a rumor in the village before? Land of a thousand towers? As long as there is a family with boys, a watchtower will be built. Over time, there will be so many watchtowers here, so there will be? A thousand towers? The reputation of.

If you look closely, you will find that these watchtowers are all made of simple yellow mud and stones. Sichuan is also an earthquake-prone area. These watchtowers are well preserved and stand there quietly, showing a tall and majestic scene. Bian Xiao couldn't help sighing that the craftsmen of the ancients kept these watchtowers standing after thousands of years of wind and rain.

The tour guide told Bian Xiao that on the other hand, the watchtower was built for military defense, and different locations had different functions and advantages. It is said that in ancient times, wars often occurred here, so those watchtowers built on the ridge have the same function as watchtowers, which can be used to observe the enemy's situation and then deliver news. Some were built in villages to attack and defend the enemy. Some local families will also build towers in their own homes, which will play a military role when the war comes, and they can usually be used as storage rooms to put things.

Another particularly interesting thing about these towers is that they are gender-specific. Different genders have different ways to build watchtowers. There are traces of black wooden beams in the shape of female watchtowers, but there are no male watchtowers. Now is also a time of peace, these towers no longer have a military role, but they are still of great significance to the local people.

There are still many tourists, including Bian Xiao, who come to Sichuan to experience the profound historical details of Danba Diaolou, all because they are attracted by these quaint monuments. Are you attracted by the watchtower? Or what other interesting historical buildings have you seen? Welcome to comment.