Building Dreams Under the Great Wall 🏯
Have you ever dreamed of living somewhere truly magical? That’s exactly what Jim Spear, a designer and architect from the United States, did! 🌟
In 1994, Jim made his dream come true by moving into a house beneath the Great Wall in the Chinese mainland’s Mutianyu Village. 🏡 This ancient wall has stood for thousands of years, and now Jim was living right beneath it!
Turning Old Places into New Spaces 🔨
But Jim didn’t stop there. He saw potential in old, abandoned buildings that others had forgotten about. 🔎
First, he transformed an old primary school into a bustling restaurant, an art glass shop, and a gallery. 🍽️🎨 Now, people could enjoy delicious food and beautiful art where empty classrooms once stood!
Then, in 2006, Jim took on an even bigger project. He renovated a disused glaze tile factory in Beigou Village into a cozy hotel. 🏨 (A glaze tile factory is where shiny, colorful tiles are made, like the ones you might see on rooftops!)
Attracting Visitors from All Over 🌍
Thanks to Jim’s hard work, these villages became must-visit places for tourists going to the Great Wall. 🧳 People from all over the world come to eat, stay, and explore these amazing spots.
Jim Spear shows us how one person’s dream can bring new life to a community. His story teaches us that with imagination and effort, we can turn old things into something extraordinary! 🚀
Reference(s):
How a U.S. architect renovated houses beneath the Great Wall in China
cgtn.com
