Life in the Mekong region takes place against a tremendously varied backdrop. The dramatic topographical and climactic
changes that take place along the river’s course bring us from the austere Tibetan plateau, through the sparsely inhabited
hillsides of Yunnan, to humid, tropical mainland Southeast Asia.

The architectural heritage of the region conveys a fractured identity, so, in the rugged upper reaches of the Mekong, or
Dza Chu/Lancangjiang, stone houses huddle together on cobbled streets in villages and small towns, while further south,
riverine communities live in wooden houses on stilts, or more inland, in styles of housing particular to relocated hilltribes.
The royal complex of Angkor or the vestiges of old Luang Prabang carry echoes of the past glories of riverine kingdoms,
alongside the municipal efforts of the French colonists. And all along the river, Buddhist, Catholic and Islamic architecture
have left their mark in the countries of the Mekong in a string of wats, temples, churches and mosques.

“The landscape changes so much along river – from snow-covered mountains to ragged highlands, the first rice terrace
cultures and then the tea and rubber plantations in Weixi and Xishuangbanna, and finally, the rice fields, fishing and markets
of the Lower Mekong. Some places, like Weixi, have a great mix of cultures – Lisu, Bai, Hani, and Tibetan tribes as well as Han
Chinese, so architecture can be very mixed too – I saw mosques built in the Han style, and old churches with a whole
congregation wearing tribal dress..”