By the Qing dynasty (1644 to1912), many Huizhou men had consolidated their capital to open a string of pawnshops in major cities such as Beijing, and they funnelled their profits home to fund the construction of lavish residences for their wives and children.

BBC: Rural adventures in China��s backcountry

Nor was it expecting a string of disasters, including the highly publicized collapse of a bridge over the Han river in the capital.

CNN: WHY VISIT THIS YEAR?