Kaiping Spirit · Diaolou Charm

Kaiping City, Jiangmen — the home of the world cultural heritage Kaiping Diaolou. It boasts the magnificent Zili Village Diaolou, the arcade style of Chikan Ancient Town, and the elegant garden scenery of Liyuan Garden. This 2-day 1-night itinerary allows you to admire diaolou, wander through ancient towns, taste the culture of overseas Chinese hometown, and appreciate the unique architectural art and historical heritage of Kaiping.

Kaiping Diaolou
World Heritage
Chikan Ancient Town
Overseas Chinese Hometown Customs
Liyuan Garden
Chinese and Western Garden
Maxianglong
Ecological Diaolou Group
Scenery of Zili Village Diaolou in Kaiping City, Jiangmen
Zili Village Diaolou Group, Kaiping City
Rural landscape of Zili Village Diaolou in Kaiping City, Jiangmen, set against rice fields

2-Day 1-Night Diaolou Cultural Tour in Kaiping City

World Heritage + Ancient Town Customs + Garden Art, in-depth experience of Kaiping's charm

Trip Duration
2 Days 1 Night
Main Destinations
Zili Village, Chikan Ancient Town, Liyuan Garden, Maxianglong, Jinjiangli Diaolou Group
Suitable For
Architecture enthusiasts, history and culture lovers, photography enthusiasts, family with kids
Per Capita Budget
¥400-¥800
01
Diaolou and Garden Tour
Appreciation of World Heritage and Overseas Chinese Hometown Architecture
Itinerary Highlights

Visit Zili Village Diaolou in the morning, explore Liyuan Garden in the afternoon, and stroll around Chikan Ancient Town at night

Attraction Arrangement
Zili Village Diaolou Group
One of the most representative diaolou groups in Kaiping, consisting of 15 diaolou with diverse styles, integrating Chinese and Western architectural features. Combined with rice fields and lotus ponds, it forms a unique rural landscape and is a core part of the world cultural heritage.
Liyuan Garden
A garden villa built by overseas Chinese Xie Weili in the 1920s, integrating classical Chinese gardens with Western architectural styles. The garden features exquisitely laid out pavilions, terraces, towers, rockeries and ponds, making it an outstanding representative of overseas Chinese hometown gardens.
Chikan Ancient Town
An overseas Chinese hometown ancient town with a history of over 350 years, famous for its 3-kilometer-long arcade street. It retains a large number of Chinese and Western integrated buildings and was once an important commercial distribution center in western Guangdong. At night, it is brightly lit with a unique charm.
Practical Information
Travel Tips
  • The best shooting light at Zili Village is in the early morning or evening, which can avoid crowds
  • It is recommended to rent an audio guide at Liyuan Garden to deeply understand the garden's history
  • Chikan Ancient Town is more charming when the night lights are on, suitable for night tour
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Chikan Ancient Town Homestay
  • Diaolou Theme Inn in Tangkou Town
  • Kaiping Urban Area Hotel
02
Ecological Diaolou and Folk Custom Experience
In-depth exploration combining nature and humanities
Itinerary Highlights

Visit Maxianglong Diaolou Group in the morning, explore Jinjiangli in the afternoon, and experience overseas Chinese hometown folk customs

Attraction Arrangement
Maxianglong Diaolou Group
A diaolou group hidden deep in bamboo forests, consisting of 7 diaolou and 8 Western-style villas. Integrated with surrounding bamboo forests, streams and rice fields, it has a beautiful ecological environment and is known as "the most beautiful rural diaolou group in the world".
Jinjiangli Diaolou Group
Including three diaolou: Ruishi Building, Shengfeng Building and Jinjiang Building. Among them, Ruishi Building is known as the "King of Kaiping Diaolou", with exquisite architectural craftsmanship and gorgeous interior decoration, being the tallest and most exquisite one among Kaiping diaolou.
Nanlou Memorial Park
Built to commemorate the heroic deeds of seven heroes who defended Nanlou against Japanese invaders during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Nanlou is a reinforced concrete diaolou, witnessing the patriotic spirit of local people and serving as an important patriotic education base.
Practical Information
Featured Experiences
  • Hiking in Maxianglong bamboo forest to experience the perfect integration of ecology and diaolou
  • Climb Ruishi Building in Jinjiangli to overlook the rural panorama
  • Listen to the Anti-Japanese stories at Nanlou and cherish the memory of revolutionary martyrs
Return Suggestions
  • Buy local specialties such as Kaiping fermented bean curd and Guanghe fermented bean curd
  • The distance between various attractions is relatively close, it is recommended to travel by chartered car
  • The drive from Kaiping urban area to Jiangmen Station is about 1 hour, with convenient transportation

Must-Try Foods in Kaiping City

Kaiping Eel Rice

A special delicacy of Kaiping, made with local eels and high-quality silk seed rice, baked in traditional tile pots. The eel meat is tender and the rice is fragrant and smooth, being one of the representatives of overseas Chinese hometown food culture.

Chikan Tofu Dumplings

A special snack of Chikan Ancient Town, made with tofu from local soybeans as the main ingredient, wrapped in flour and fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Served with special sauce, it has a unique flavor and is a must-try food in the ancient town.

Magang Goose

A specialty goose breed from Magang Town, Kaiping, with tender and juicy meat. It can be made into various dishes such as roast goose and white-cut goose, being a must-have dish at local banquets and renowned in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for its unique flavor.

Kaiping Fermented Bean Curd

A traditional condiment with a history of over 100 years, made from high-quality soybeans through special fermentation process. It has a unique flavor, being a famous specialty of Kaiping and a high-grade seasoning for cooking.

Kaiping City Travel Tips
Best Seasons
  • February-March: Rapeseed flowers bloom in Zili Village, contrasting beautifully with diaolou
  • June-August: Rice fields are green, and rural landscapes are vibrant
  • September-October: Rice is golden, the best time to shoot diaolou
  • December-January: The climate is cool, suitable for strolling in ancient towns and cultural exploration
Travel Suggestions
  • It is recommended to buy a joint ticket for Kaiping Diaolou, which allows visiting multiple attractions with higher cost performance
  • You can rent a bicycle to tour Chikan Ancient Town and experience the slow pace of life
  • When shooting diaolou, it is recommended to match with pastoral scenery to show the unique landscape
  • You can join local diaolou culture explanation groups to deeply understand the stories of overseas Chinese hometown behind them
Practical Information
  • The internal space of some diaolou is narrow, please pay attention to safety when visiting
  • There are many mosquitoes in rural areas, it is recommended to bring mosquito repellent supplies
  • Respect the lives of local villagers, do not enter private areas without permission
  • UV rays are strong in summer, pay attention to sun protection during outdoor activities
Transportation Guide
  • The drive from Guangzhou to Kaiping urban area is about 1.5 hours, with direct high-speed rail and bus services
  • Each diaolou attraction is scattered, it is recommended to travel by self-driving or chartered car
  • There are tourist special lines connecting major attractions in the city
  • Motor vehicles are prohibited in Chikan Ancient Town, suitable for walking tours

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