Cave dwellings revitalized as cattle barns in NW China's Gansu

Cave dwellings have been transformed into cattle barns, generating wealth for local residents in Chongxin county, Pingliang city, northwest China's Gansu Province.

Photo shows an aerial view of a cattle breeding demonstration site in Ganzhuang village, Huangzhai town, Chongxin county, Pingliang city, northwest China's Gansu Province. (People's Daily Online/Jiao Long)

"I work here during the farming off-season and earn about 4,000 yuan (roughly $562) a month, while still being able to look after my family," said local villager Wu Jinxi.

Photo shows a cattle barn renovated from cave dwellings in Ganzhuang village, Huangzhai town, Chongxin county, Pingliang city, northwest China's Gansu Province. (People's Daily Online/Jiao Long)

Photo shows cattle raised at cattle barn renovated from cave dwellings in Ganzhuang village, Huangzhai town, Chongxin county, Pingliang city, northwest China's Gansu Province. (People's Daily Online/Mi Yuan)

Photo shows a cattle breeding demonstration site in Ganzhuang village, Huangzhai town, Chongxin county, Pingliang city, northwest China's Gansu Province. (People's Daily Online/Jiao Long)

Photo shows a cattle breeding demonstration site in Ganzhuang village, Huangzhai town, Chongxin county, Pingliang city, northwest China's Gansu Province. (People's Daily Online/Mi Yuan)

"The caves face away from the wind and toward the sun, staying warm in winter and cool in summer. The cattle rarely get sick and gain weight quickly," said Hou Zhuo, Party branch secretary of Ganzhuang village, pointing to the neatly arranged cow sheds. "Compared with traditional barns, cave-raised cattle can be ready for market 60 days earlier."

Chongxin county has built 15 cave dwelling cattle farming demonstration sites, transforming 1,700 cave dwellings into barns that now house more than 5,500 cattle. The county's total cattle herd has grown to 87,600, generating an output value of 484 million yuan.