Photo shows a group of the Billing children at the Billing Villa in Kuliang in 1912. The standing girl is the eldest daughter, Marjorie Billing (born in Colorado in 1906); the boy held by the woman on the left is the second son, Arthur Bernard Billing (born in Foochow in 1911); the girl held by the woman on the right is Elisabeth (Betty) Billing (born in Fuzhou in 1909). [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Before Len Billing turned 16, he spent summers in Kuliang. He took hundreds of photos of the place, which contributed to telling its stories.

For many years, the younger Billing wanted to revisit Kuliang, but did not do so because of his frail health.

The house built in 1912 by his father, Arthur William Billing, was sold to a local family surnamed Guo in 1948.