Taoping Qiang village, home of the Qiang people, is known for its ancient stone architecture. [Photo by Melanie Peters/For China Daily]

Taoping Qiang village

About 16 kilometers from Wenchuan is Taoping Qiang village, in Guangrou county. It is home to members of the Qiang ethnic group. The village which dates back 2,000 years is well known for its ancient stone architecture. This includes a "mysterious oriental castle" which has piqued the curiosity of archaeologists. Tours are offered through a labyrinth of alleyways to discover more of the Qiang-style architecture.

It is a complex network of stone towers and dwellings constructed of earth, stones, hemp and wood. Each house has a white stone, a religious symbol, to ward off evil. The ancient watchtowers, ranging up to 30 meters high, take on shapes of hexagons or octagons. These solidly built towers and homes withstood the earthquake.

The Qiang people have also managed to preserve their culture and customs through the ages. In the village, women sell baskets of sweet cherries picked from nearby orchards and old men sitting at their gates enjoy barley wine. There are stalls with elegantly embroidered clothes, scarves and other trinkets particular to the region. Qiang-style embroidery is a Chinese cultural treasure and the forte of the local women. The skill has been handed down for more than 1,000 years.

Qiudi village, Lixian county

More than 2,000 meters above sea level in Sichuan's mountainous rural Lixian county, about 35 km from Wenchuan, is a small community of Jiarong Tibetans. They live in Qiudi village. Their lives, once marred by poverty, have been turned around through government programmes. Their economy received a welcome boost through yak farming, running a hydro project and tourism. Families have opened their homes to tourists who wish to experience their culture. It is a bed-and-breakfast of sorts which locals called "agritainment".

Hosts dressed in ethnic gowns welcome guests into their Tibetan-styled homes, which are ornately decorated with splashes of bold color. The mountain air is fresh and the local hospitality warm. It's a welcome retreat from city life.

The author is an online editor of South African newspaper Weekend Argus.