Guangdong Jiangmen

1.Kaiping's Diaolou and Villages

Kaiping's Diaolou and Villages-A UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Step into a unique blend of history,culture,and architectural wonder as we explore the Kaiping Diaolou and Villages in Guangdong Province.These towering fortress-like structures,built by overseas Chinese in the early 20th century,are a fascinating fusion of Chinese,Western,and even Southeast Asian styles-truly one-of-a-kind in the world!

Scattered across lush countryside,these multi-story watchtowers were originally designed for defense against bandits and floods.Today,they stand as silent storytellers of Kaiping's rich past,when prosperous Chinese emigrants returned home and built these grand,hybrid mansions.The most famous clusters-Zili Village,Li Garden,and Jinjiangli-offer stunning examples of ornate balconies,arched windows,and intricate murals.

But it's not just about the diaolou!The surrounding rice fields,lotus ponds,and ancient villages create a picturesque rural landscape.If you're a film buff,you might recognize these towers from movies like Let the Bullets Fly-their dramatic silhouettes make the perfect backdrop!

Whether you're an architecture enthusiast,a history lover,or simply seeking a peaceful escape,Kaiping's Diaolou and Villages promise a journey through time.

2.Chikan Old Town

Chikan Old Town-Jiangmen's Charming Heritage Gem!

Step back in time as we explore Chikan Old Town,a picturesque riverside settlement in Jiangmen that perfectly preserves the elegance of early 20th-century Qiaoxiang (Overseas Chinese) culture.With its European-style arcades,vintage shophouses,and tranquil canals,this town feels like an open-air museum frozen in a bygone era!

Strolling along Tangkou River,you'll be enchanted by the fusion of Chinese and Western architecture-think ornate balconies,pastel-colored facades,and grand colonnades.Many of these buildings were funded by overseas Chinese who returned from the U.S.,Canada,and Australia,blending foreign influences with Lingnan traditions.Don't miss the Chikan Movie&Television Town,where classic films and dramas were shot,adding a touch of cinematic nostalgia!

But Chikan isn't just about looks-it's a living cultural hub.Savor local flavors like Chikan rice noodles,claypot rice,and ginger milk pudding at century-old eateries.If you visit during festivals,you might catch dragon boat races or lantern displays lighting up the riverbanks!

Whether you're an architecture lover,a history buff,or just seeking a peaceful retreat,Chikan Old Town offers a timeless escape into Guangdong's fascinating past.

3.Zili Village

Zili Village,the crown jewel of Kaiping's Diaolou culture!Nestled amidst golden rice fields and lotus ponds,this UNESCO-listed village is home to 15 magnificent watchtowers,each telling a story of overseas Chinese dreams and homeland pride.

As we walk these quiet paths,you'll notice how these fortress-like towers blend Western grandeur with Chinese practicality.See the Roman columns,Baroque balconies,and iron gates that speak of 1920s prosperity when villagers returned from abroad.The most famous,Mingzhi Lou,even has a German clock and Victorian stained glass!

But these weren't just fancy homes-they were life-saving strongholds.During bandit raids,whole families would retreat upstairs,pulling up ladders and firing through narrow windows.The tallest tower,Rui Shi Lou,gives panoramic views where you can imagine lookouts scanning the horizon for danger.

This village starred in movies like The Grandmaster!When sunset turns the towers golden and fireflies appear over the fields,you'll understand why filmmakers love this magical setting.

4.Guifeng Mountain Scenic Area

Guifeng Mountain Scenic Area,the "Lungs of Jiangmen"!This stunning 4A-rated national park combines lush forests,shimmering lakes,and sacred temples-all just a short drive from the city bustle.

Our adventure begins at Yuhu Lake,where emerald waters reflect the mountain's curves like a giant mirror.Follow me up the forest trails,and you'll discover why locals call this "Four Seasons Mountain"-spring cherry blossoms,summer waterfalls,autumn maple leaves,and winter mist create ever-changing beauty!The highlight?Reaching Guifeng Peak at 545 meters for a breathtaking view where the Pearl River Delta unfolds beneath your feet.

Culture lovers will adore Yueshui Temple,a 1,700-year-old Buddhist sanctuary hidden in the bamboo groves.If you're lucky,you might hear monks chanting while the temple's bronze bell echoes through the valleys.

Visit at sunrise when clouds dance around the peaks,or join the Guifeng International Hiking Festival each autumn.Whether you're here for exercise,spirituality,or just picnic by Longtan Reservoir,Guifeng Mountain promises to refresh your soul!

5.Chuan Island

Chuan Island (Chuandao),the crown jewel of Taishan's "Pearl Archipelago" in Jiangmen.Picture this:powdery white beaches,crystal-clear waters,and fishing villages where time slows down-that's Chuan Island for you!

Our first stop?Feisha Beach,a 3-kilometer crescent of golden sand often called "Diamond Bay" for its sparkling waves.Dip your toes in the bathtub-warm South China Sea or try thrilling water sports like jet-skiing!Next,we'll visit Dongwan Fishing Village,where stilted houses perch over turquoise waters,and old fishermen mend nets using centuries-old techniques.

History buffs,don't miss the Song Dynasty-era Mangrove Forest-paddle a kayak through its emerald-green tunnels and spot rare birds!As sunset paints the sky peach and purple,join locals at the seafood night market to feast on just-caught lobster,blue crabs,and the island's famous "drunken shrimp."

Chuan Island is actually two islands (Shangchuan and Xiachuan) connected by China's first undersea sightseeing tunnel!Whether you crave relaxation or adventure,this tropical haven delivers.

6.Enping Hot Spring Paradise

Enping Hot Spring Paradise,a hidden gem in Jiangmen where nature's warmth melts all your stress away.Nestled in lush green valleys,this 4A-rated hot spring resort is famous for its healing mineral waters and serene landscapes-perfect for rejuvenation!

Let's dip into history first!These springs have been cherished for over 500 years,since the Ming Dynasty,when locals discovered their therapeutic powers.Today,you'll find over 30 unique pools,each with different temperatures and benefits-from lavender-scented baths to cascading waterfall massages.Don't miss the "Silk Spring," whose silky-smooth waters are rich in radon,said to soothe joints and brighten skin!

For adventure lovers,try the hot spring fish therapy,where tiny doctor fish nibble away dead skin (ticklish but magical!).Prefer privacy?Book a VIP garden pool surrounded by bamboo groves and singing birds.

After your soak,unwind in the tea pavilion with a cup of local chrysanthemum tea,or explore the nearby Lakeside Boardwalk at sunset-the golden reflections on the water are pure magic!

7.Gulou Water Town

Gulou Water Town in Heshan,where emerald canals replace roads and ancient bridges whisper centuries of stories.Known as "China's last original water village",this 600-year-old paradise will transport you to a simpler,poetic time.

As we board our wooden boat,look how the maze of waterways reflects willow trees and stone houses-locals still travel by sampan just like their ancestors!Those floating lotus leaves?They're part of Gulou's famous "fish-and-lotus" farming,where fish thrive under lotus ponds (and make delicious steamed mandarin fish for lunch!).

Culture lovers,watch for Qilou buildings with their charming arcades-some hide ancestral halls where dragon boat rituals begin.Speaking of which,if you visit during Dragon Boat Festival,you'll see explosive races through narrow canals!

Liang Qichao's former residence-the great reformer grew up inspired by these waters.Sunset turns the village gold when fishermen cast nets,creating living art.

8.Liang Qichao Memorial Museum

Liang Qichao Memorial Museum-Where China's Modern History Comes Alive!

Step into the world of Liang Qichao,one of China's greatest thinkers and reformers,right here in his beautifully preserved hometown residence in Jiangmen!This isn't just a museum-it's a time capsule that takes us back to the late Qing Dynasty,when revolutionary ideas were born in these very rooms.

As we walk through the traditional Lingnan-style courtyard,notice the elegant carvings and airy verandas-this is where young Liang Qichao studied classics by oil lamp before becoming a "giant of Chinese intellectual revolution".The exhibits showcase his handwritten manuscripts,personal seals,and even the desk where he penned fiery essays that helped shape modern China!

Don't miss the "Enlightenment Corner"-it recreates how Liang,exiled in Japan,transformed his thinking (and inspired a nation!) through his newspaper Xinmin Congbao.The adjacent Liang Family Ancestral Hall reveals how his upbringing in this riverside village fueled his vision.

Every autumn,scholars gather here for "Liang Qichao Culture Week",debating his famous quote:"Youth are the future of China." Whether you're a history buff or just curious,this humble house will leave you inspired by how one man's ideas can change the world!

9.Xiaoniao Tiantang

Xiaoniao Tiantang (Bird Paradise),a lush island sanctuary where thousands of feathered performers put on a daily aerial ballet!

As we board our eco-friendly electric boat,look up!That giant 400-year-old banyan tree ahead isn't just a tree-it's an entire floating forest covering 15 acres,with roots so dense they've created their own island in the Tanjiang River.This natural skyscraper is home to over 40,000 birds of 105 species!

Watch for the star residents:snowy egrets returning at sunset like floating petals,great cormorants diving for fish,and if we're lucky,the rare black-faced spoonbills stopping during migration.The best show?Dawn or dusk,when the sky darkens with synchronized flocks-just like when writer Ba Jin immortalized this place in his 1933 essay!

Our silent boats keep the peace (no loud noises please!) as we glide through maze-like waterways,where reflections of wings double the magic.This habitat survives thanks to local farmers who've protected it for centuries,using natural fishing methods that keep the ecosystem balanced.

10.Chen Xianzhang

Chen Xianzhang,the 15th-century Ming Dynasty philosopher better known as Chen Baisha-the only scholar from Guangdong ever enshrined in Confucian temples nationwide!This riverside memorial isn't just a museum;it's the birthplace of China's "Lingnan School" of Neo-Confucianism.

As we enter the Qingyun Road complex,notice how these gray-brick halls blend scholarly dignity with Lingnan garden elegance-just like Baisha's philosophy fused tradition with innovation.That towering "Loyalty Arch" ahead?Built in 1587 to honor his revolutionary teaching style that emphasized "learning through contemplation in nature" rather than rote memorization.

The real treasure lies in the Calligraphy Corridor.See those vigorous grass-style characters carved on stone tablets?All written by Baisha himself using his unique "Maogang brush" (made from local rice straw!).Don't miss his poetry garden,where verses like "Mountains and rivers breathe with me" reveal his Zen-like connection to Jiangmen's landscapes.

Every spring,scholars reenact Baisha's famous "Fishing Terrace Lectures" by the lotus pond-where he taught students to "seek truth from the heart".Whether you're drawn to philosophy,calligraphy,or just serene beauty,this memorial whispers 500 years of wisdom.