Kaiping, Jiangmen is home to Guangdong's first World Cultural Heritage, Kaiping Diaolou. Most of these unique structures were built by returning overseas Chinese in the 1920s and 30s, resulting in a fusion of Chinese and Western architectural styles. The Diaolou are categorised into three types: watchtowers, residential towers, and communal towers. Watchtowers were typically built at the entrance of villages, equipped with searchlights and alarm devices to fend off bandit invasions, while residential towers and communal towers are mainly for residential purpose.

 

If you're curious about the lives of the overseas Chinese in Kaiping back then, don't miss a visit to Zili Village in Tangkou. The village is densely populated with Diaolou, and they have been remarkably well-preserved. Let’s explore and immerse yourself in the unique architectural charm of Kaiping!