Chongqing Matjiang Bagu Suji architectural design

In 2019, invited by the local government, the architects first visited Dianjiang, about 120 kilometers northeast of central Chongqing. The site is Leijiawan, a natural village group in Shilu Village, Guiyang Street, Dianjiang, within the Mingyue Mountains at about 800 meters elevation, cool in summer and ideal as a summer retreat. The site backs onto higher hills to the west, is cradled by small hills on both sides, and opens to a southeast gap with views of the county town eight kilometers away. More precious is a horseshoe-shaped paddy field around which original villagers' life unfolded, half a mu and one ox, sunrise work and sunset rest. Beyond the quiet rural cultural landscape, nearby heritage includes the Bashu ancient road, said to be the route that carried lychees to Yang Guifei, hence called the Lychee Road; boundary stones and cliff inscriptions by literati still remain. The layout preserves the paddy and arranges guest volumes around it, turning a mountainside village into a destination guesthouse.