Millions of Chinese People Still Live in Caves

While skyscrapers dominate Chinese cities, millions of rural residents inhabit homes carved directly into hillsides. Yaodong, or cave dwellings, are especially common on the Loess Plateau in Shaanxi Province. These homes require no external heating or cooling systems because the earth provides natural insulation, keeping interiors around 15 to 20 degrees Celsius year-round. Building a yaodong costs a fraction of conventional housing, making it an economical choice for farmers. Some modern cave homes even include amenities like electricity, plumbing, and internet. The practice has persisted for millennia because it works remarkably well with the local geology and climate.