Kaiping Diaolou and Villages
Kaiping Diaolou architecture collects the architectural art of different styles and schools in different periods in the West. These colorful architectural elements coexist freely, boldly and harmoniously in Kaiping folk, forming a new architectural type, showing unique artistic charm.
Type: World Cultural Heritage, Ancient Town, Villages
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Summer
Chinese Name: 开平碉楼与村落
Recommended Visiting Time: 1 Day
Open Hours: 08:30-17:30
Admission Fee: 180RMB
Address: Tangkou Liyuan tourist area, Kaiping City, Guangdong Province(广东省开平市塘口立园旅游区)
Kaiping Diaolou and Villages
Kaiping Diaolou, located in Kaiping City, Guangdong Province, is a special type of Chinese local architecture, which is a multi-storey tower building integrating defense, residence and Chinese and Western architectural art. According to the existing evidence, Kaiping diaolou has been produced in the late Ming Dynasty (the 16th century) at the latest, and developed into a unique group architectural image that represents the history, social form and cultural tradition of overseas Chinese in the late 19th century and the early 20th century.
Why is Kaiping Diaolou and Villages So Special
Kaiping Diaolou village is a historical witness that Chinese villages actively accept foreign culture. In modern times, the impact of foreign cultures on traditional Chinese culture is mostly passive. Modern buildings in places such as Hong Kong and Macao are typical colonial cultures, while Diaolou centered on Kaiping are the products of Chinese rural people’s active acceptance of western architectural civilization, fully reflecting their confidence, openness and inclusiveness in the face of foreign advanced cultures. This cultural phenomenon is unique among China’s four major overseas Chinese Townships and rare in the world.
It is a concentrated exhibition of Chinese rural transplantation of foreign architectural art. Kaiping Diaolou architecture collects the architectural art of different styles and schools in different periods in the West. These colorful architectural elements coexist freely, boldly and harmoniously in Kaiping folk, forming a new architectural type, showing unique artistic charm.
The architectural style of Kaiping Diaolou
There are Chinese traditional Yinshanding style and Xuanshanding style, as well as foreign (especially European continent) architectural forms and styles in different periods, such as Gothic, Romanesque and so on.
How to Get There
Travel with China Dragon Tours(Top Recommended)
If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package which covers sightseeing dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Kaiping Diaolou and Villages with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing.
Independent Travel
It’s about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Guangzhou by bus or self driving to Kaiping. There are two luxury passenger ships from Sanbu port to Hong Kong every day. They can reach their destination in 4 hours. Kaiping to Hong Kong: they leave at 13:30 every day.
From Guangdong bus station (next to Guangzhou railway station) to Kaiping bus, first shift: 6:30 am, last shift: 7:30 pm, every 35 minutes;
Guangzhou Zhongshan 8th Road bus station to Kaiping bus, first shift: 6:30 am, last shift: 8:30 pm, every 35 minutes.
Useful Travel Tips
Admission Ticket
180 yuan (including Liyuan, Zili Village Diaolou Group, Chikan Film and Television City, Jinjiang Li Diaolou Group four scenic spots, valid within two days, each scenic spot can only be viewed once)
Climatic Characteristics
Kaiping City belongs to the subtropical monsoon marine climate zone, with an average annual temperature of 21.5 degrees and an annual rainfall of 1700-2400mm. It is a tourist resort.
Accommodation
Kaiping Diaolou and Village scenic area are located in a superior geographical position, close to Jiangmen City. Tourists can choose to stay in Kaiping or return to Jiangmen City.
Kaiping Diaolou and Village Recommended Hotel
● Jiangmen Jiangwan Hotel
● Kaiping Weigang Hotel
● Kaiping Ramada Hotel
Edited by Winnie/张赢
