Introduction to Xiguan House (西关老屋)

Xiguan Big Old Houses, or Xiguan Big Houses refer to ancient houses built in the Xiguan, Liwan District of Guangzhou. These old houses are historic architectures featured with local Lingnan characteristics and are outstanding representatives of ancient Chinese architecture. The Xiguan Big Old Houses is a popular tourist attraction in Guangzhou and it is a great place to know Guangzhou history, the ancient architecture and local culture.

Xiguan is an ancient town located in Liwan District with its north to Xicun, south to the Pearl River, east to Renmin Road and west to Xiaobei River. Now Xiguan is a historic area to memorize the history of Guangzhou and the culture of local region. 

Xiguan is reputed for the many traditional architectures preserved there. Most of the Xiguan Big Old Houses were built during the Qing Dynasty by local notable families, wealthy businessmen, and high officials. Designed and constructed with remarkable techniques, the Xiguan houses are of high artistic and architectural values. The layout and ornament of Xiguan houses are what make these houses outstanding.

Most of the Xiguan houses were built in the structure of timber-masonry with the base built with black bricks. With the layout in the Chinese traditional style of central plains, the central main room is built to stretch in vertical direction. Usually Xiguan houses are two-storey buildings with two courtyards, one in the front part of the house and the other in the rear part. Considering the local climate and local customs, the interior of Xiguan houses are built in a certain ratio to resist heavy rain and be damp-proof.

The amazing ornaments of Xiguan houses are great appreciate. Usually there are three kinds of doors in a Xiguan House, hardwood door, wade cage and corner gate. The wade cage is basically a movable fence which is consisted of round hard batten made of hardwood or redwood. A variety of wood carvings, pottery, murals, rosewood furniture and ironic ornaments are found for interior decoration. Windows of the Xiguan houses are quite special. These stained glass Manchuria windows are made from a kind of special glass which features plenty of colors on it.
 

Location

Fengyuan Bei Street, Liwan District, Guangzhou

Main Sights

Xiguan Houses and Architecture

Travel Information

Opening Hours: 8:00AM – 5:00PM

Admission: Free

Transportation 

1.Take buses 82, 6, 3 or 2 and get off at Baohua Road Station.

2.Take Metro Line 1 getting off at Changshou Road Station.

Travel Tips 

1. Try to avoid visiting Xiguan Mansions during school holidays and golden week.

Tour including Visiting Xiguan House (Guangzhou)

Guangzhou, Zhaoqing, Guilin, Yangshuo, Hezhou & Lipu 7 Days Tour