There are three one hundred-year-old dwellings in the Conggo Village of Gongbo gyamda County of Nyingchi Prefecture, southeast Tibet Autonomous Region. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

There are three one hundred-year-old dwellings in the Conggo Village of Gongbo gyamda County of Nyingchi Prefecture, southeast Tibet Autonomous Region. The village is the only place in the Gongbo district that completely preserved traditional Tibetan village layout, residential architectural style, custom, culture and faith. The old buildings are living fossils, providing outsiders a window to understand Gongbo Tibetans.

Drolma Lhamo, hostess of one of the old houses, introduced: "Our house has over two hundred years history, and our elders have been living in this house from generation to generation. Now my family and I are also living in the house. We have a deep feeling with it."

The house has two floors with the first floor stacked forage and sundry. It was mainly built of wood.

The traditional Chinese fireplace is an important part of Tibetans' daily life. Every year, Tibetans will hold fireplace sacrifice to pray for family safety. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Walking along the stair, visitors could see the master room on the second floor. The room has followed traditional Gongbo Tibetan dwelling style. The window is small, so light in room is slightly dim. Rows of dried pork are hung on the wooden beams.

Beside the cabinet, there is a fireplace built of stones and brandreth with an area of one square meters. The traditional Chinese fireplace is an important part of Tibetans' daily life. Every year, Tibetans will hold fireplace sacrifice to pray for family safety. Drolma said: "The fireplace is a cooking range in the day and a heating pot at night."

The timber ladder leading to the attic is called "cat ladder". The cat ladder is long and narrow and it is movable, therefore, the ladder can save place and also possess defense function in the past.

Old traditions are preserved, while the old houses now have welcomed a brand new life with its masters.

Photo shows the kitchen of Drolma Lhamo's house. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

The timber ladder leading to the attic is called "cat ladder". The cat ladder is long and narrow and it is movable, therefore, the ladder can save place and also possess defense function in the past. [Photo/China Tibet Online]