Kaiping is nicknamed 'the home of overseas Chinese' as huge numbers of emigrants left this area beginning in the late nineteenth century. Many settled abroad and Taishanese, the local language, is still spoken around the world. Others returned home with both wealth and inspiration. They imported what were then new western inventions like flush toilets and radios and built houses in their home villages inspired by the architecture they'd seen in Europe and the Americas. The most distinctive of their buildings are diaolou, fortified towers crowned with ostentatious baroque or neoclassical penthouses. They served both as residences and defence against bandits. They can be found in various places, but especially in Kaiping, where they are recognised as a Unesco world heritage site. Many are scattered singly or in pairs throughout the countryside but there are a few diaolou clusters where you can see many in a small area and even climb up a few of them, as well as seeing the Republic of China period furnishings inside. The surroundings are very rural, not much changed a century after these eccentric towers were raised. Kaiping is an easy day- or weekend-trip from Guangzhou. From Kaiping Railway Station it's easiest to get a taxi to one of the diaolou clusters. Be sure to taste the local speciality baozaifan, rice cooked in a clay pot until the bottom gets crusty, served with various toppings. #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #kaiping #taishan #jiangmen #guangdong #diaolou #architecture #historicallandmarks #unesco
Stevebeck
Popular Trip Moments
In-Depth Travel Guide to Kaiping Chikan Ancient Town: Discover the Century-Old Arcades and Local Life! | 🫣Turns out history can be this fun | Kaiping Diaolou : itinerary | Kaiping Diaolou | Explore Chikan Ancient Town and Stay in Century-Old Buildings | Discovering the Charm of Chikan Ancient Town 🏯 | Discover the Timeless Charm: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Chikan Ancient Town! | Not Wuzhen, but a seriously underrated overseas Chinese town in Guangdong Province. | 2-Day Jiangmen Exploration: Unveiling the Beauty of the City | The Yupei Villa for a Beloved Wife — The Liyuan Garden of Kaiping | Why is Guangdong Overseas Chinese International Tourism Resort so popular? | Who knew! I realized all my previous trips were in vain after visiting Chikan Ancient Town. | Chikan Old Town, Guangdong | A Day Trip to Experience the Nanyang Style | Guangdong has its own treasure Jiangnan town, and it's a bit strong | Kaiping Diaolou "Zili Village" | Explore the Kaiping Diaolou and discover the architectural wonders of East meets West | "Kaiping's First Tower" | Ruishi Tower | Don't worry about where to go on Valentine's Day! Let me go to Jiangmen Chikan 👏🏻 | Kaiping Diaoluo: Surprizing Cultural Mix Germ of Southern China | A hidden gem during the Spring Festival | Avoid the crowds and experience the Diaolou time in Kaiping | Kaiping Diaolou "Liyuan" Travel Guide | Kaiping Diaolou and Villages | Majianglong Village — Dialou's in a Bamboo Grove | Free Diaolou Tour in Jiangmen! 4 Attractions for a Day Trip with Kids | Jiangmen | Kaiping Chikan Ancient Town Day Trip Guide | Come to Jiangmen for the New Year next year! This is the real Chinese New Year! | A must-visit for cheongsam lovers! A retro town that will make your friends jealous! | Kaiping Diaolou - Zili Village | Kaiping Diaolou | A day of shopping for free! The seriously underestimated ancient village of Jiangmen
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
Bangkok attraction near me | Manila attraction near me | Tokyo attraction near me | Taipei attraction near me | Hong Kong attraction near me | Seoul attraction near me | Kuala Lumpur attraction near me | Los Angeles attraction near me | Shanghai attraction near me | New York attraction near me | Shenzhen attraction near me | Osaka attraction near me | Singapore attraction near me | London attraction near me | Guangzhou attraction near me | San Francisco attraction near me | Beijing attraction near me | Macau attraction near me | Bali attraction near me | Jakarta attraction near me | Paris attraction near me | Ho Chi Minh City attraction near me | Istanbul attraction near me | Phuket attraction near me | Chicago attraction near me | Seattle attraction near me | Toronto attraction near me | Orlando attraction near me | Cebu attraction near me | Chiang Mai attraction near me
Popular Restaurants in Kaiping
ZHAN SHI XIAO QI | 牛道潮汕牛肉火锅(开平店) | 耍牛满·爽腩鲜牛肉火锅(中环广场店) | Tanjiangbandao Restaurant | 华莱士(水口店) | Zhengongfu (kaipingdarunfa) | 文记小食 | YOU ZHI MING | 重庆面馆 | LI SHANG HUANG | 榴莲披萨(东汇城店) | 牛恒濑粉总店 | 龙胜龙湾姐弟牛杂店(建联街店) | 女王蛋糕店(银海店) | 吃德好美食小站(南岛店) | 臻享無招牌芝士烤蛙(开平东汇城店) | 簕新餐馆 | 心怡pizza | 千寻料理(曙光东路店) | 小鹅城(开平东汇城店) | 优城悦客(开平店) | Baby Cake | BI GUI YUAN ZHONG CAN BU | 华莱士·全鸡汉堡(新昌店) | 鑫记新鲜牛肉(祥苑店) | 万岁寿司(东汇城店) | 侨家村农庄 | SHU KE HANG | 花园酒店国际会议厅 | 关氏饮食店
Popular Ranked Lists
Popular Local Restaurants in Paris | Popular Best Things to Do in Mexico City | Popular Luxury Hotels in Estonia | Top 3 Best Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar | Popular Local Restaurants in Guangzhou | Top 18 Local Restaurants in Nanjing | Popular Luxury Hotels in Ethiopia | Top 9 Best Things to Do in Semporna | Top 3 Luxury Hotels in Uzbekistan | Top 16 Best Things to Do in Da Nang | Popular Luxury Hotels in Bahamas | Top 17 Best Things to Do in Geneva | Popular Luxury Hotels in Anguilla | Top 19 Local Restaurants in Osaka | Popular Luxury Hotels in Curacao | Top 10 Local Restaurants in Zhongwei | Top 4 Local Restaurants in Xianyang | Popular Local Restaurants in Chiang Mai | Popular Local Restaurants in Hong Kong | Popular Luxury Hotels in Albania | Popular Best Things to Do in Izmir | Popular Best Things to Do in Jintang | Popular Luxury Hotels in Cayman Islands | Popular Best Things to Do in Koh Samet | Top 8 Luxury Hotels in Netherlands | Popular Local Restaurants in Harbin | Popular Luxury Hotels in Denmark | Top 4 Luxury Hotels in Costa Rica | Popular Best Things to Do in Abu Dhabi | Top 17 Local Restaurants in Dubai
Payment Methods
Our Partners
Copyright © 2025 Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved
Site Operator: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Site Operator: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.