Kaiping Diaolou

Introduction to Kaiping Diaolou (开平碉楼)

The Kaiping Diaolou constructions are located in Tengjiao village, Chikan Town, Kaiping city. Diaolou is a kind of special type of Chinese rural architectures, which is a type of multi-storeyed tower building in the combination of defense, residential, and Western and Chinese architectural art. They are actually dwelling houses, but in a great diversity of Chinese and Western styles, ancient Greek styles, Roman styles and Islamic styles.

Kaiping Diaolou was officially included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in June, 2007 and it is the major tourism attraction in Kaiping tourist. Diaolou was constructed by the local overseas Chinese to protect their home and property at the first place. This is the primary reason why these Diaolou building share the common features of narrow ironed windows and walls, thick and sturdy walls, and embrasures in the walls. In the top floors, there are lookout towers equipped with defensive equipments like firearms, bells,sirens, and searchlights. 

The differences between these Diaolou constructions are mainly in the roof part. These roofs are of different styles, some are traditional Chinese roofs, some are mixtures of Chinese and western styles, some are ancient Roman styles, the domes, the American castled style, the European villa styles, courtyard balcony styles and so on. 

Kaiping Diaolou constructions are typical representatives of the perfect combination of the West and the East. They have great values in the history of architecture. And these buildings fully show the culture spirits of confident, liberal and inclusive of the local Kaiping people.

Location

Tengjiao Village, Chikan Town, Kaiping City, Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province

Main Sights

Diaolou architectural complex including Chikanzhen Yinglong Lou, Jinjiangli Diaolou Cluster, Fangshi Denglou, the Cluster in Zilicun and Fangshi Denglou

Travel Information

Opening Hours: 8:30AM~5:30PM

Admission Fee: 80 Yuan for Zilicun Diaolou Cluster, 50 Yuan for Majianglong Diaolou Cluster, 30 Yuan for Chikan Movie and Television City

Visiting Time: 3~4 hours

Best Time to Visit: April to June, September to November, the weather in spring and summer is cool and little rainfall.

Transportation 

Take Tangkou-Magang Special Line from downtown Kaiping and get off at Zili Village.

Travel Tips 

1. Children with height between 1.2m to 1.5m cost half fare, and under 1.2m is free.

2. The old people with age between 65 and 70 cost half price, and over 70 is free.