In terms of the decoration of Chinese folk residences, in most cases, carvings and color paintings are applied to the main structures of the building, with few added parts; key decoration techniques include brick, wood and stone carvings, which are mainly used in the most important and predominant parts like the gate, door and window bars, screen walls, the roof and fire-proof walls. The decoration of folk residences in the south of the Yangtze River and in south Anhui is the most elegant and exquisite, especially the three superb decorating techniques used in houses in south Anhui - brick, wood and stone carvings that are best known for the unparalleled craftsmanship.
Residences in different areas have distinctive local styles and national characteristics. The decoration varies due to the owner's economic status and education. Intellectuals' houses and those of wealthy tycoons are totally different in terms of decoration style and taste. Generally, folk residences are simple and elegant. Many houses have couplets hanging on both sides of the gate. The words and calligraphy of the couplets are both vivid and rustic. The articles and furniture in the hall are elaborate yet practical. Decorative carvings are mostly in quiet colors, giving a graceful feel.
Folk residences not only serve as buildings to live in, but also reflect different customs and tell different life stories. Savoring the art of folk residences is experiencing diversified Chinese ethnic cultures and the history of people's lives.
Wang cun
For the most part of its 2,000-year history, Wangchun Town was the capital of local ethnic tribal kings. Situated on the confluence of Mengdong and Yuanshui rivers, the town features a bluestone-flagged 2.5-km-long main street, an ancient town wall also built of bluestone, and ethnic Tujia residents' stilted dwellings.
Ancient Wangcun Town is the site of former Youyang City in Qin and Han Dynasties. It is the door of Mengdong River waterway tour and the south gate of Mengdong River scenic spot. Here, the railway, highway, and waterway transportation is convenient.

Furong Town is originally named Wangcun. It is an ancient town where Tujiazu people live together. Until now, in the town, pavement laid with black flagstones and ancient domestic house ( mainly Diaojiaolou ) are well preserved. The famous movie Furong Town directed by Xiejin is shot here. At Furong Town, you must take the local specialty, “rice tofu.”It is said that the most genuine shop is in the vicinity of torii. That shop is the rice tofu shop in the movie.

The scenery in the town has unique bearing. Shops with trap doors are on the both sides of five-mile street of black flagstone. Tujia Diaojiaolou are set up against the slope. The simple bearing of Tujiazu is very charming. In the Warring States Period, “Xizhou Copper Pillar” set as a war covenant made between the emperor of Chu, Maxifan and the King of headman remains as before. On “Xizhou Copper Pillar”, key cultural relic under state protection, more than 2300 characters are inscribed, the covenant of dismissing troops and reconciling made between the emperor of Chu, Maxifan and the King of headman in 940 A.D. is recorded. It is a precious object data of studying nation relation in ancient China.

Besides, there is Wangcun waterfall which is about 60 meters high and 70 meters wide here. Walking behind the hanging screen of the waterfall is like placing oneself in a crystal palace.

Furong Town is the only road to Mengdong River. Arriving at Mengdong River railway station by taking a special train for tourism at Zhangjiajie, you will find that Furong Town is nearby. The specific train schedule may be looked up at Mengdong River communication timetable.
Situated in Huitong County of Hunan province, Gaoyi Village is south of Xuefeng Mountain. Most residents are surnamed Yang and are all Dong ethnic minority people. Most of their structures are built with blue brick, in a combination of the Hunan style and Dong ethnic minority style. Decorations, such as color paintings and door carvings, of these houses are beautiful and unique.
Chinese architecture relies on axial arrangement, formal cues, and sequencing to establish dominance, for a few buildings (aside from watchtowers and pagodas) are over a story tall. More impt. buildings are elevated on podium and of greater size, central location, elaborate ornamentation and timber bracketing, hipped roofs, and symbolic color schemes (yellow and red), while ordinary buildings are smaller and have simpler framing, gable roofs, and somber (black, brown, white) coloration. Axiality governs all compositions.
Noteworthy is the type of scenic windows called louchuang or "hollowed windows". They may be constructed of tiles or bricks, wood or stone carvings, leaving openings of geometric patterns and decorated with carved-through human or animal figures. Strollers, through the openings of such windows, will get fragmentary and changing glimpses of the views across the wall. The idea of the louchuang, probably an artistic conception unique to Chinese architecture, has recently been extensively adopted for modern buildings such as theatres, art galleries, cultural centres, exhibition halls, art shops and certain high-class residences. They help ventilation and interior lighting, and create pleasing sights as well.
Confucian and Daoist principles are evident in Chinese attention to building placement. Orientation to the cardinal directions is common, with principle buildings facing south to take maximum advantage the sun and prevailing winds. Buildings of secondary importance face east or west, shielded by generous overhangs or vegetation. Approach axis extends from north to south, and a southern courtyard ensures that the most important rooms have ample exposure to light and air. This arrangement gives a physical expression to Confucian ideals of hierarchy (he relied on respect for authority) while incorporating Daoist teachings regarding harmonious living with respect to natural forces.
Traditional Chinese house design was of wood frame construction. Walls, interior as well as exterior were constructed of thin wooden panels with solid and open sections. Windows were made of heavy paper that could be stored away during the summer months to encourage the free circulation of air. Broad overhanging eaves sheltered verandas that extended internal space to the exterior. In winter, the houses must have been both cold and drafty. Either they wore layers of clothes or in rural areas, where brick and adobe was used for construction, houses had under floor flues to provide heat, but you cannot have this in timber construction.