Wang Yuanzhou - Architect of Dai Traditional Buildings in Jinggu County, Puer 

Wang Yuanzhou (王元周) is a highly respected Dai master craftsman from Jinggu County (景谷县), Pu’er City (普洱市), Yunnan Province. Renowned for his mastery of traditional stilted Dai bamboo-and-wood houses (ganlan-style buildings), he has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting this architectural heritage. In December 2022, he was officially recognized as a Yunnan Provincial Representative Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage, with his project being the Traditional Dai Bamboo House Construction Technique (傣族竹楼营造技艺).

? Craft Heritage and Distinctive Features

Family Legacy

Born into a family of skilled builders, Wang Yuanzhou learned the craft directly from his father, Wang Yuming (王玉明, transliteration). At the age of 13, he began formal training, mastering every step—from material selection and timber cutting to house framing and construction. After decades of hands-on practice, his skills have reached remarkable refinement.

Architectural Style – Dai Bamboo Houses

The hallmark of his work is the ganlan-style stilted house, commonly known as a “bamboo house.” This architectural style is perfectly adapted to the hot, humid, and rainy climate of southern Yunnan. Its main features include:

• Raised Ground Floor: The lower level is left open for storage or livestock, effectively preventing dampness, flooding, and pests such as snakes or insects.

• Living Space Above: The upper floor is reserved for living, offering ventilation, dryness, and comfort.

• Distinctive Roof Decoration: The most iconic element is the “Kongming Hat” (孔明帽)-shaped roof, said to resemble the hat of Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) from the Three Kingdoms era. This unique design is a cultural symbol of the Dai people, with roof tiles often layered for durability.

Perhaps most impressively, no nails are used in Wang Yuanzhou’s constructions. Instead, he relies on precise mortise-and-tenon joints and tightly woven bamboo strips, creating structures that are both stable and ingenious.

? Representative Works and Contributions

Key Project – Qianuo Buddhist Temple

One of Wang Yuanzhou’s most notable contributions is his role in the renovation and reconstruction of Qianuo Buddhist Temple (迁糯佛寺, also called 缅寺), located in Qianuo Village (迁糯村), Yongping Town (永平镇), Jinggu County (景谷县). As one of the largest Dai Theravada Buddhist temples in Yunnan, the temple itself is a treasure of traditional Dai architecture. His participation in such a landmark project reflects both his exceptional craftsmanship and the high regard he holds in the community.

Cultural Transmission

• Training Successors: Wang has passed down his craft to his son, Wang Lixin (王立新, transliteration), and several other disciples, ensuring that this family tradition continues into future generations.

• Promoting Heritage: He actively participates in cultural exhibitions and training programs organized by local authorities, helping to safeguard and spread knowledge of Dai architectural culture.

? Conclusion

Wang Yuanzhou is more than a craftsman—he is a living guardian of Dai architectural heritage. From family houses to sacred temples, his work embodies both functional design and cultural symbolism. Through his skill, dedication, and teaching, the stilted bamboo houses of the Dai people remain a vibrant, “living” heritage in Jinggu County (景谷县), continuing to inspire awe and admiration for generations to come.