Ancient architecture and its restoration are at the heart of South African architect Ian Hamilton’s fascinating work in Yangshuo County, China. The artist has passionately rehabilitated the area’s old buildings, creating vibrant spaces that preserve the region’s cultural and historical heritage.
Ian Hamilton first settled in Yangshuo in 2001, drawn by the region’s beautiful landscapes and rich culture. As a tour guide, he shared his passion with foreign visitors, immersing them in the picturesque charms of the surrounding area.
His fascination with ancient architecture gradually led him to make a major change in his life. In 2010, he left his job to settle in Jiuxian Village, a historical site that is over 1,000 years old.
The village still contains over 40 buildings dating back to the Ming (1368-1644 A.D.) and Qing (1644-1911 A.D.) dynasties, giving Hamilton a canvas on which to express his art. In 2010, he rented his first old house, signing a 20-year lease, and began his restoration work.
“As a South African, I didn’t have the chance to grow up in old houses. When I came to Yangshuo, I was dazzled by these beautiful buildings, perfectly adapted to the lives of the locals and the local environment. While the locals preferred to build new homes, I believed that these houses contained a beauty and a fine design that should be preserved,” Hamilton said.
For Hamilton, each brick and beam of these buildings represents not only the passage of time, but also the rich history and deep culture of the region.
At first, the villagers were skeptical of Hamilton’s plans.
“He said he would restore our old houses, but we didn’t believe him at first,” said Lin Ying, a local resident.
A year after he began his work, Hamilton completed his first restoration. The locals, who had once viewed these dilapidated houses as mere symbols of the past, began to look at them with new eyes.
Hamilton’s meticulous efforts transformed these buildings into habitable and functional spaces. Upon seeing the changes, the locals began to trust him and rented out their old houses for restoration.
“It’s wonderful. When I came here, people said the old houses were useless. But after he restored the first one, the demolitions stopped. Everyone realized that these houses still had value,” he shared.
To date, Hamilton has restored six buildings in the village. Thanks to the thriving tourism sector, he transformed them into charming old-style hotels, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience in the history and culture of the region.