Qiang embroidery making in Taoping village in Sichuan province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Taoping in Sichuan province

Located in a picturesque valley east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Taoping village in Lixian county, Sichuan province, is a land of idyllic beauty that boasts the marvelous heritage of one of China's oldest ethnic groups — the Qiang.

The village has one of the best-preserved ancient Qiang architectural complexes with a history of 2,000 years. As part of the village, the Qiang stockaded village is a whole entity formed by 98 interconnected stone houses and two nine-story watchtowers.