Let’s explore over 400-year-old Khuoi Ky stone village in Cao Bang Province
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Khuoi Ky is an ancient stone village in Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province, with stone stilt houses bearing the unique ancient beauty of the Northeastern mountains and forests.
The stone stilt houses were built in the period around 1594-1677 when the Mac dynasty moved from Thang Long to Cao Bang Province. These houses have retained the unique architectural and cultural beauty of the Tay people like majestic fortresses.
Khuoi Ky is the name of a rather special village in the Ban Gioc waterfall tourist complex, located nearly 100 kilometers far from the center of Cao Bang city, with 14 Tay ethnic households.
The roofs of these houses are constructed in the Yin-Yang tile architectural style, with three separate compartments by wooden board frames for convenient living. The house foundations are made of rough stone and the pillars are also made of stone.
As for the Tay ethnic people in Trung Khanh District, the stilt houses preserve ethnic cultural identity and distinctive features of traditional material and spiritual life through generations. As for the Tay people's god-worshipping beliefs, stone is like a god who shields and protects the villagers.
The stone houses are located in Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province.
The Khuoi Ky ancient stone village is home to 14 Tay ethnic households.
Khuoi Ky village’s residents have escaped poverty thanks to the business development of homestay services. This village has become a popular check-in destination for visitors arriving at the Ban Gioc Waterfall tourist complex.
Young people take photos in front of the stone houses in Khuoi Ky village.
A stone bridge leads into the village
A unique ancient cultural space
Stone is used for the daily life of the local ethnic community.
The house walls, foundations and pillars are all built from quarried stones.
One of the most ancient houses in Khuoi Ky stone village. Corns are often hung at the entrance as a decorative charm for the house.
Stone walls and stone-paved pathways lead to the village's alleys.
The roads are paved with rough-cut stones.
Ancient stones are arranged into tiers and fences by the villagers.
An alley in the Khuoi Ky stone village
Stone is also used in other constructions such as fences, dams, mill grinders and stoves.
The stones with different sizes, are bonded by a mixture of lime, sand and water. The walls are built that is over 30 centimeters thick and each stilt house is between seven to eight meters high.
In Khuoi Ky ancient stone village, some households now run homestay services equipped with electricity, water and internet for travelers to explore Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao Cave.
By Do Trung, Tran Luu, Quoc Khanh- Translated by Huyen Huong
