Folk houses, farming landscapes, sturdy fortifications, serene temples, and more - villages across China offer a grand showcase of ancient architecture. Recently, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has selected 82 routes for architecture trips in villages, and three of them are located in Guangdong. What is included in the three recommended routes?
Longhua District, Shenzhen: a journey through art and intangible cultural heritage
Route: Guanlan Ancient Fair (观澜古墟)—Guanlan Lake Leisure Tourism Zone (观澜湖乡村俱乐部)——Guanlan Rosewood Street (观澜红木家具艺术街)——The China Printmaking Museum (中国版画博物馆)——Guanlan Printmaking Village (观澜版画村)——Aohu Art Village (鳌湖艺术村)——Guanlan Shanshuitianyuan Tourism and Culture Park (观澜山水田园)——Shangwei Art Village (上围艺术村)
This travel route blends Longhua's unique ancient architecture with art and culture. It offers an immersive journey through century-old villages, which now serve as bases for exquisite printmaking art and rosewood furniture craftsmanship, as well as the home for many artists.
What you should not miss out on this route are the nine watchtowers in Guanlan Ancient Fair, which were built in the first half of the 20th century by the locals to resist bandits and warfare attacks. Made up of rammed earth walls, with flat floors and wooden floors & stairs, the towers integrate housing and defence and are perfect samples to study civil defence buildings.
One of the watchtowers in Guanlan Ancient Fair (Photo: Longhua Wentiyun)
Another highlight of Guanlan Ancient Fair is the old building of Gongyi Restaurant (观澜公益酒家), which was built in 1938. Its main body consists of blue brick walls plastered with lime, while the internal wooden floor slabs are covered with square bricks. Supported by Western-style columns and fences, its balconies were decorated with Chinese-style plant paintings and grey sculptures. The building is an example of the combination of Western and Chinese architecture that was prevalent during the first half of the 20th century.
The old building of Gongyi Restaurant (Photo: Longhua Wentiyun)
How to get to the starting point: take Shenzhen Metro Line 4 and get off at Guanlan Station, Exit B
Chenghai District, Shantou: discover the history of overseas Chinese in their hometown
Route: Qianmei Village, Longdu Town (澄海区隆都镇前美村)—— The Former Residence of Chen Cihong (陈慈黉故居)——Yongning Village (永宁寨) ——Dongli Town (澄海区东里镇)——the Old Port of Zhanglin (樟林古港)
Qianmei Village was built in the late Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368) and early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Renowned as a historical and cultural village in China, it holds many historical building complexes with a unique Chaoshan style.
If you are curious about Chaoshan-style buildings, the former residence of Chen Cihong is a must-visit. Built in 1910, the home of this successful overseas Chinese merchant has 506 rooms, which together form a massive building complex that resembles a four-house trailer in shape when looked down from above.
The former residence of Chen Cihong (Photo: The Former Residence of Chen Cihong)
The Yongding Building (永定楼) in the Old Port of Zhanglin is another architectural structure that you should not miss on this route. The two-story building covers an area of more than 800 square meters, with a wide porch, a large courtyard, and a screen wall in the front. There is also another courtyard and corridors in the middle. Originally a warehouse and navigation mark, the Yongding Building has now been transformed into an exhibition hall to display letters and remittances that overseas Chinese sent to their hometown, telling stories of the Chinese diaspora.
The Yongding Building (Photo: The Cultural Center of Chenghai)
How to get to the starting point: take Bus 103 and get off at the stop of Qianmei
Renhua County, Shaoguan: explore the Danxia landform and ancient villages
Route: Danxia Mountain Geopark (丹霞山景区)——Yaotang New Village (瑶塘新村)——Xiafu Ancient Village (夏富古村)——Shitang Ancient Village (石塘古村)——Shuangfeng Zhai, Shitang Town (石塘双峰寨)——Encun Village (恩村古村)——The Memorial Hall of the Long March in Northern Guangdong (红军长征粤北纪念馆)——Xinbai Village (新白村)——Peninsula Tea Garden (半岛茶园)
Taking this route, tourists can visit the spectacular scenery of Danxia Mountain, after which the Danxia landform was named, as well as various ancient villages that now house numerous cosy hostels. Watch folk performances, learn about rice wine making and tea roasting, and get ready to be surprised by these unique experiences in your journey.
Danxia Mountain Geopark (Photo: Danxia Mountain Geopark)
A must-visit on this route is Shuangfeng Zhai, a fortification constructed in the early 20th century. It consists of a five-story main building and four four-story gun towers. Lookout posts, gun holes, corridors for horses, human living space, and wells - it covers all that is needed for warfare defence.
Shuangfeng Zhai (Photo: Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shaoguan Municipality)
How to get to the starting point: Take the direct buses to Danxia Mountain Geopark from Shaoguan Railway Station or Shaoguan East Railway Station, or take the bus to Renhua from Shaoguan Railway Station and get off at the stop of Danxia Mountain Geopark.
Author | Chen Siyuan
Editor | Monica, James
