(开平碉楼与村落) Kaiping Diaolou and Villages

I was in Guangzhou so I wanted to do a weekend trip out, and this is the only thing I can find. Apparently, the integration between Western and Chinese architecture creating this residence that also functions as a defensive buildings. It's interesting because the buildings I was able to visit did explain what influenced the design and who built the houses too.

Budget: RMB1,068 (~JPY23,000, ~USD150) from Guangzhou

RMB130. Guangzhou < > Kaiping (RMB65 one way)
RMB180. Entrance, Kaiping
RMB150. Lunch, snacks, etc.
RMB8. Bus, Kaiping to the Dualou. After the initial bus, I took the free shuttles and Didi the rest of my time.
RMB200ish. Didi expenses that I haven't tracked.
RMB400. Hotel, Kaiping

Visit Date

December 1, 2024

When to Go
Throughout the year.

Special Notes

I mainly followed this website so big thanks!
Access is below. I added the chinese version so you can put it in Baidu / Didi, but also added google maps pin to help you figure out where you are.

Guangzhou Fangcun Bus Station : 广州雄风芳村旅游集散中心 google maps pin Just go in, look for the counter to buy tickets, show them the Chinese for Kaiping below and pay. I paid RMB65.
Kaiping bus stop : 开平市义祠客运有限公司 google maps pin

When it comes to Kaiping Diaolou, there are quite a lot to visit. But if you only have a day, I think visiting the three below is the recommended route.

Zili Village. The main face of the Diaolou (see cover pic)
Li Garden. A private garden that was recently opened to the public.
Majianglong. The mountain face of the Diaolous. But no guarantees, as the forests have to be properly trimmed to have the view off the tourist materials.

Itinerary

Saturday

03:50pm. Guangzhou terminal to Kaiping.
Around 6:00pm. Arrived at Kaiping bus stop. Checked in my hotel.

Sunday

07:55am. Headed out. I took the bus and it was not easy to figure out how to pay. I had Alipay and Wechat, but don't speak Chinese haha. After a while of gesturing, we figured it out.
08:43am. Arrived at the entrance at Zili village. Walked quite a bit.
08:59am. Arrived at the ticket place for Zili village.
09:53am. Headed to Li Garden.
10:59am. Headed to Majianglong. I took the wrong shuttle and ended back to Zili Village. I decided to have lunch before taking the shuttle to Majianglong.
12:27pm. Arrived at Majianglong.
01:00pm. Headed back to Kaiping bus stop. Went back to Hotel and took my stuff.... and missed my bus.
04:00pm ish. Took the bus to Guangzhou.

The shuttle going to Kaiping. Seats are assigned.

Kaiping was quite pretty.

The entrance to Zili Village.

It was quite a walk to the parking lot.

The free shuttle schedule between the main Diaolous.

I chose the RMB180 options as I only have a day and wanted to visit Li Garden, Zili Village and Majianglong.

The entrance of Zili.

Most of what I learned is from reading these things.

Walking towards the Diaolou.

First view.

Saw so many warnings about not drowning in this... maybe 30cm deep water.

Quite interesting and unique architecture.

Homes that you can enter has explanation like this.

The classic version of their kitchens.

The boudoir.

THE shot.

There are smaller homes in the area. I am not sure if they were there in the olden times or just built lately. But I won't be surprised, as the rich folks owning the diaolou will need workers to build their homes.