Kaiping Diaolou and Villages -- china.org.cn

Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, feature the Diaolou, multi-storied defensive village houses in Kaiping, Guangdong Province, which display a complex and flamboyant fusion of Chinese and Western structural and decorative forms.

They reflect the significant role of émigré Kaiping people in the development of several countries in South Asia, Australasia, and North America, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the close links between overseas Kaiping and their ancestral homes.

(Click for larger pictures)

The property inscribed here consists of four groups totalling 20 Diaolou, representing some 1,800 tower houses in their village settings. They reflect the culmination of almost five centuries of tower-house building and the still strong links between Kaiping and the Chinese Diaspora.

These buildings take three forms: communal towers built by several families and used as temporary refuge, of which 473 remain; residential towers built by individual rich families and used as fortified residences, of which 1,149 survive; and watch towers, the latest development, which account for 221 of the buildings.

Built of stone, pise (compressed earth), brick or concrete, these buildings represent a complex and confident fusion between Chinese and western architectural styles.

Retaining a harmonious relationship with the surrounding agricultural landscape, the Diaolou testify to the final flowering of local building traditions that started in the Ming period in response to local banditry. (whc.unesco.org )

Travel tips:

How to get there:

Get to Shenzhen or Guangzhou first, bus-bound to Kiaping is some 50 yuan with about 2 hours. Expressway is available. Visitor could rent a car or take a taxi at Kaiping to go around to see Diaolous scattered throughout the countryside. Hiring a local guide is a wise choice.

What to see:

Route 1: Urban area Zili Village ( Fangshi deng lou ) in TankouTownship -- LiyuanGarden Majianglong Village in Baihe Township -- Shilu( lime-sand-clay tower) in Baihe Township -- Yanping lou in Baihe township -- Ruishi Lou in Jinjiangli, Xiangang Township -- Yinglong Tower in Sanmenli Canada Village in Chikan Township -- The ancient town: ChikanFengcai Shrine in urban area -- Shopping in the pedestrian street in the urban area

Route 2: Fengcai Shrine in urban area -- The ancient town: Chikan Ruishi Lou in Jinjiangli, Xiangang Township -- Shilu ( lime-sand-clay tower) in Baihe Township -- Yanping lou in Baihe township -- Majianglong Village in Baihe Township -- Zili Village( Fangshi Deng Lou ) in Tankou Township -- Liyuan Guarden Canada Village in Chikan Township -- Yinglong Tower in Sanmenli Village, ChikanTownship -- Shopping in the pedestrian street in the urban area.

Route 3: Ruishi Lou in Jinjiangli, Xiangang Township -- Shilu ( lime-sand-clay tower) in Baihe Township -- Majianglong Village in Baihe Township -- The ancient town: Chikan Zili Village( Fangshi Deng Lou ) in Tankou Township -- Liyuan Guarden Canada Village in Chikan Township -- Yinglong Tower in Sanmenli Village, Chikan Township -- Fengcai Shrine in urban area -- Shopping in the pedestrian street in the urban area

Where to live:

Ever Joint Hotel ★★★★★

Address：No.2 Zhong Yin Road,Kaiping City Guangdong China

P.C.：529300 Tel：0750-2333333 Fax：0750-2338333

E-Mail：kpejh@pub.jiangmen.gd.cn

Hotel Holiday Sanbu ★★★★

Address: Gangkou Road, Changshang, Kaiping City, Guangdong, China P.C.：529300

Tel:2286333 Fax:2286222 email: sales@sbholiday.com

Sanbu Harbour View hotel ★★★

Address: 15, TANJIAN ROAD WEST, XINCHANG, KAIPING CITY, GUANGDONG, CHINA.

P.C.：529300

TEL：(0750)2388888　　FAX：(0750)2388333

Hotel of Broadcast and television ★★

Address: 2 Xijiao Rd, Changsha, Kaiping City, Guangdong, China,

Tel:0750—2212213

Overseas Chinese Hotel ★★

Address: 6 Xijiao Rd, Changsha, Kaiping City, Guangdong, China,

Tel:0750—2212572

(China.org.cn by Wang Zhiyong July 25, 2007)