Kaiping
Kaiping-Hometown of Overseas Chinese!
Kaiping is located in Jiangmen, in the southwest of the Zhujiang (Pearl) River Delta. It is a renowned hometown of overseas Chinese, with approximately 750,000 overseas Chinese residing abroad. Known as the “Hometown of Chinese Architecture,” Kaiping is home to the World Cultural Heritage site “Kaiping Watchtowers and Villages” and is the first UN World Tourism Organization Observatory for Sustainable Tourism Development in Guangdong Province. Kaiping is rich in tourism resources, featuring attractions such as Liyuan Garden, Watchtower Group of Zili Village, and Chikan Town.
Must-See Highlights
Watchtower Group of Zili Village
Watchtower Group of Zili Village is located in Tangkou Town and is one of the representatives of the World Cultural Heritage site “Kaiping Watchtowers and Villages.” There are over 20 watchtowers in the village, each with a unique style that blends Chinese and Western architectural arts. Built mostly in the early 20th century and funded by overseas Chinese, these watchtowers were used for defense against bandits and as residences. The village, shaded by lush trees and with beautiful surroundings, is an ideal place to experience the culture and history of the hometown of overseas Chinese .
Travel Information
Opening hours: 9:10-17:50 (all year round)
Suggested visit duration: 1-3 hours.
Liyuan Garden
Liyuan Garden is located in Tangkou Town. It was a private garden built by Mr. Xie Weili, a Chinese-American, over a decade in the 1920s and was completed in 1936. Liyuan Garden integrates traditional gardening, Jiangnan water town, and Western architectural styles. It is divided into a villa area, a large garden area, and a small garden area, connected by artificial rivers and colonnades. With its exquisite layout, Liyuan Garden is acclaimed as the "No. 1 Overseas Chinese Garden."
Travel Information
Opening hours: 8:30-17:30 (all year round)
Suggested visit duration: 2-3 hours.
Chikan Town
Chikan Town is located in Kaiping, with a history of over 360 years since its establishment in the reign of Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty. It is a renowned Chinese historical and cultural town. The town is built along the Tanjiang River and features over 600 arcade buildings stretching for 3 kilometers, forming the largest and best-preserved overseas Chinese architectural complex of arcade buildings in China. Chikan has a profound cultural heritage and has produced many notable figures, including the famous patriotic overseas Chinese Situ Meitang. In recent years, Chikan Town has been revitalized through the restoration of old buildings and the introduction of new businesses. It has become a new landmark for cultural display, intangible cultural heritage projects, and local specialty cuisine, attracting numerous visitors.
Travel Information
Opening hours: 9:00-22:00 (all year round)
Ticket sales end at 21:30.
Suggested visit duration: 1-3 hours.
Best Time to Visit
The best seasons to visit Kaiping are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
In spring, the climate is warm, and rapeseed flowers and peach blossoms are in full bloom, creating picturesque scenes that contrast beautifully with the watchtowers in the fields.
In autumn, the weather is cool, and the golden rice fields create a stunning landscape, making it the perfect time to experience the unique charm of the overseas Chinese hometown and its natural beauty.
Additionally, the China Overseas Chinese Hometown Tourism Festival, held in Kaiping in mid-October every year, is a major highlight, allowing visitors to deeply experience the unique cultural appeal of the overseas Chinese hometown.