We’re in Shen’Ao (深澳村) near Tonglu (桐庐). The average age of the tourists is around thirty, while I’m sure the average age of the local residents is nearly double.

Most buildings are over a century old and in pretty bad shape — although I do think this used to be a comfortable village to live in, before its decay and before the tourists came. There are several tiny squares, a pond, mountains on one side, and the city of Tonglu nearby. Plus the buildings show a richness off the past. Big thick walls made of stones and rammed earth (夯土), and Hui architecture (徽派).

But that was before. Someone says: “This reminds me of my childhood”, but after a pause she adds: “But even then we didn’t even live in such poor buildings.”

The top line says: 祝毛主席万寿无疆 (Wishing Chairman Mao a long life).