The World Lighting Journey is a photo library of nightscapes and lighting environments from cities worldwide. Lighting Detectives hopes this database will be a catalyst for future discussion on urban lightscapes and local lighting culture. Lighting Detectives encourages all web viewers to send nightscape from your hometown to add to our ever-expanding photo library.
Daytime in Jingmai Village
Visiting Jingmai Mountain is not easy. You typically spend a night in Kunming first, then set out early in the morning, traveling by plane or train to reach the area.
It is a historic settlement of the Dai people, where villagers continue to preserve a traditional way of life. The distinctive homes feature irimoya-style roofs: the first floor is used for tea production, sales, and teahouse activities, while the second floor, covered with tiled roofing, serves as the family’s living space.
According to a teahouse owner I spoke with, the first floor is kept open to welcome guests, while the family takes care of their daily needs—food, clothing, and shelter—on the second floor. I found this blurred boundary between private and public space particularly fascinating.
It is a historic settlement of the Dai people, where villagers continue to preserve a traditional way of life. The distinctive homes feature irimoya-style roofs: the first floor is used for tea production, sales, and teahouse activities, while the second floor, covered with tiled roofing, serves as the family’s living space.
According to a teahouse owner I spoke with, the first floor is kept open to welcome guests, while the family takes care of their daily needs—food, clothing, and shelter—on the second floor. I found this blurred boundary between private and public space particularly fascinating.
