Chinese authorities destroy villager’s ramshackle 10-storey Studio Ghibli-esque home

The home in the village of Xingyi in Guizhou province had become a tourist attraction, but officials said it lacked the necessary building permits

Chinese authorities destroy villager’s ramshackle 10-storey Studio Ghibli-esque home

TL;DR

  • A 10-storey, ramshackle home in Xingyi, Guizhou province, described as Studio Ghibli-esque, has been demolished.
  • The owner, Chen Tianming, transformed his family home into a tourist attraction over eight years, spending approximately 200,000 yuan ($29,000).
  • Authorities cited a lack of building permits and safety hazards as reasons for demolition.
  • Chen had defied demolition threats, even as his village was being redeveloped.
  • Chen was detained, and his home was torn down; he is now seeking legal help to have the demolition declared illegal and potentially restore the structure.