Kaiping is nicknamed 'the home of overseas Chinese' as huge numbers of emigrants left this area beginning in the late nineteenth century. Many settled abroad and Taishanese, the local language, is still spoken around the world. Others returned home with both wealth and inspiration. They imported what were then new western inventions like flush toilets and radios and built houses in their home villages inspired by the architecture they'd seen in Europe and the Americas. The most distinctive of their buildings are diaolou, fortified towers crowned with ostentatious baroque or neoclassical penthouses. They served both as residences and defence against bandits. They can be found in various places, but especially in Kaiping, where they are recognised as a Unesco world heritage site. Many are scattered singly or in pairs throughout the countryside but there are a few diaolou clusters where you can see many in a small area and even climb up a few of them, as well as seeing the Republic of China period furnishings inside. The surroundings are very rural, not much changed a century after these eccentric towers were raised. Kaiping is an easy day- or weekend-trip from Guangzhou. From Kaiping Railway Station it's easiest to get a taxi to one of the diaolou clusters. Be sure to taste the local speciality baozaifan, rice cooked in a clay pot until the bottom gets crusty, served with various toppings. #leaveyourmark #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #kaiping #taishan #jiangmen #guangdong #diaolou #architecture #historicallandmarks #unesco

Kaiping 开平，this is how does Guangdong small provincial city looks like. Mostly people arrive here to take buses and immediately transfer to Dialou scenic spots located in several villages around Kaiping city. Kaiping at a glance is very calm place where life is slow and peaceful existence. Good is typical Guangdong food but offered for lowest price. #holidayvacation#wintergetaway#staycation#tripinspired

It is time to say wow! Did you expect something like this in China? To introduce amazing Dialou scattered in villages around Kaiping city is my pleasure! This miracle you can face in Guangdong countryside. Dialou is the type of buildings built by Chinese immigrants returnees, who had accumulated money and experience overseas and came back to the China, to their born place, the place of their life path origin and have built such non typical for Southern China building. The creations merged European, greec, Indian and Middle East styles. Than higher building is, than more rich the owner was. Lication: Zili village #holidayvacation#wintergetaway#staycation#tripinspired

Kaiping, dialou, Guangdong province. Well, the city Kaiping is very famous due to villages around where tourists can observe the specific buildings named Dialou. The key feature if this creations is mixed architectural style. Exactly right here the pictures from San Men Li Willard are presented. This is very small village and there is no admission tickets. No one is taking good care about this area so some buildings look very old or partially destroyed. That was a great experience to visit such place. This is real Guangdong coytriside. P.S. : there are several villages around Kaiping city with unique legacy. #holidayvacation#wintergetaway#staycation#tripinspired

Relaxing holidays

it was a warm day and we stumbled into a small grocery store. we asked the owner if he would drive us in his van for the day. It was amazing. he waited for us at each diaolou village and finally took us back to the city.

when I need to get some rest, to respite and get life power, I climb mountains. This experience is terrific. Mountains are great. I started climbing with my girlfriend at night on my Birthday (around 2:30 am), we met sunrise almost on the top. It's true happiness to do it - to be on the top of Taishan Mountain which is one of the most famous and gorgeous in China. #happynewyear

The #maijishangrottoes hand carved caves reach as high as 80m up the 142m Maiji mountainside. The name ‘Maijishan,’ which means ‘wheat stack’ comes from haystack-like appearance of the hill.This incredible rock-cut architecture dates back to the Later Qin Dynasty (384 – 417 AD) #tianshui #silkroad. #unforgetabletrip #happynewyear 

Epoch Pagoda in the Heshan area of China is worth the climb. It is a monument that features so many interesting details that Luke so much in the county of China you have to truly see to appreciate. The intrecacy of the design is amazing. #merrychristmas #merrychristmas