A well-preserved ancient passage way. by Geng Yu

The most important town in the Jinsui region (now Shanxi Province and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region) before 1940, Qikou Town once boasted more than 20 publicly-owned businesses and over 300 various private enterprises, including silver processing stores, dye houses, mills and livestock trading shops. During its prime, the Qikou dock accommodated about one hundred ferries and more than 2,000 boatmen.

In the early 20th Century, with the construction of the Beijing-Baotou and Datong-Fenglingdu railway lines, Qikou Town lost its geographical advantage. And with the completion of the Lianyungang-Lanzhou Railway, as a center of commerce the place exited the historical stage.

Today only a single ancient street remains preserved in Qikou Town, and the houses along the street are modest and delicate. The cave-house is the typical dwelling of Qikou Town, and their great number harkens back to the splendid history of the place. The grandest cave-house comprises 10 rooms.