The New Generation of Yaodong Cave Dwellings, Loess Plateau

Over 1,000 eco-friendly homes have been built in the Yaodong cave area of China’s Loess Plateau. These houses combine traditional cave-dwelling methods with modern energy-saving techniques like solar heating and natural ventilation. Families construct the low-cost homes themselves, helping keep energy use and pollution low.
The project began in Zaoyuan village in 1996 with 85 pilot houses and has expanded to over 1,000 self-built homes and 1,200 more by private developers. Most dwellings are two-storey versions of traditional yaodong, with arched entrances, sunspaces for light and warmth, and earth-covered roofs that improve insulation and humidity control. Even in -20°C weather, indoor temperatures remain around 10°C with minimal heating. Energy use is nearly zero, saving up to 2.4 tonnes of CO₂ per 100 m² house each year.
The homes cost about $2,160–2,700 to build, affordable for better-off villagers but not the poorest. Families, neighbours, and local artisans work together on construction, with guidance from the Green Building Research Centre. This involvement ensures the homes match residents’ lifestyle needs while protecting cultural heritage.
The project strengthens rural communities by creating healthier, warmer, and more social living spaces. It also reduces farmland loss, supports local tourism, and helps retain young people who might otherwise migrate to cities. By using local materials and low-tech, sustainable methods, the project balances tradition with modern comfort.
Its success shows that rural housing can be sustainable, affordable, and culturally rooted. Variations of the design are now being adopted in other Chinese provinces, and the approach is seen as a model for combining traditional building knowledge with environmental goals.