Villages Sights

1. Traditional Communities

   • Aluminé, Argentina
   • Sights › Villages

   The nearby Mapuche communities of Aigo and Salazar, on the 26km dirt road to Lago Ruca Choroi (in Parque Nacional Lanín), sell traditional weavings, araucaria pine nuts and, in summer, comidas tipicas (traditional dishes). Salazar is an easy, signposted 12km walk or bike ride out of town – just follow the river. Aigo is another 14km along.

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2. Tibetan Villages

   • Dānbā, China
   • Sights › Villages

   There are a number of pretty Tibetan villages in the hills round here but Dānbā's pride and joy is Jiǎjū, 7km northwest of town and perched on top of a multiswitchback track that winds its way up a steep river gorge. Being named 'Best Village in China' by Chinese National Geographic in 2005 was probably going a bit far, but with its fruit trees, its charming Tibetan stone houses and its remote location, Jiǎjū is certainly worth the trip.

   One of a number of stone houses that has been converted into a homestay is the excellent Liǎngkē Shù, with simple dormitories decorated with traditional Tibetan furniture, a pleasant central courtyard and stunning views. The owner…

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3. Letongkhu & Sangkhlaburi

   • Um Phang & Around, Thailand
   • Sights › Villages

   Roughly 12km south of Poeng Kloeng along a rough track (passable by 4WD in the dry season), near the Myanmar border on the banks of Mae Nam Suriya next to Sam Rom mountain, is the village of Letongkhu. According to what little anthropological information is available, the villagers, although for the most part Karen in language, belong to the Lagu or Talaku sect, said to represent a form of Buddhism mixed with shamanism and animism. Letongkhu is one of only six such villages in Thailand; there are reportedly around 30 more in Myanmar. Each village has a spiritual and temporal leader called a pu chaik (whom the Thais call reu·sěe – 'rishi', or 'sage') who wears his hair…

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