Overview:

is a unique phenomenon of village inhabited in the mountainous areas of Kaiping city, Guangdong province, South China. It is a combination of multiple designs of towers, fortresses and village houses, which were built during the Qing Dynasty. The towers and diaolous were designed to protect families from frequent raids and storms, whilst the village houses served as places for social gatherings. The Diaolou and Villages of Kaiping represent an exceptional example of creative and well-adapted human settlement in an environment of great natural beauty. The setting is impressive, with multi-storied Diaolous scattered among the lushly wooded hills. Here, the Diaolous and the houses form a harmonious whole, fitting perfectly into the landscape. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in China
Prominent Features:

1. Unique Architecture: Kaiping Diaolou and Villages are renowned for their unique combination of Chinese and Western architectures, which feature three to five stories tall fortified towers with intricate designs and carvings that integrate elements from Chinese and European cultures. 2. Defensive Use: The Diaolou structures, found throughout the southern province of Guangdong, were intended to act as defense towers for protecting the villages and their inhabitants during times of warfare. 3. Watch Towers: Many of the Diaolou towers also featured watchtowers, designed to be manned by villagers who could keep a lookout for any approaching enemies. 4. Collectively Recognised: In 2007, the UNESCO recognised the Kaiping Diaolou and Villages as a World Heritage Site, in recognition of the unique blend of Chinese and Western architecture and its defensive use. 5. Historical Importance: While providing defensive functions, the Kaiping Diaolou and Villages also mark the rise to wealth of the local Kaiping people, whose success in business or migration to other areas enabled them to construct these structures at the time. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in China.

History:

The Kaiping Diaolou and Villages are some of the most well preserved UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China. This unique site consists of four clusters and over 1,800 diaolou (watchtowers) and fortified village structures spread across the Kaiping area. Built in the 19th and 20th centuries, these fortified towers were initially built as defensive watchtowers to protect against bandits and invading forces. The Kaiping area has a long and rich history that can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty. It is believed that the Kaiping Diaolou and Villages were first constructed by the Zhang clan of the Zhuang ethnic minority. During the 19th century, the Kaiping area saw the first wave of large-scale immigration from the Yangtse Delta, as people sought new opportunities and better lives. As these migrants reached this area and began to establish themselves, they decided to build defensive towers and strongholds to protect their new lives, property and possessions. For over a hundred years, the Kaiping Diaolou and Villages have continued to grow, with many locals improving their defenses and filling their walls with intricately decorated patterns. They also grew aesthetically, with colorful mosaics, frescoes and curlicues called qiáo-style painting becoming increasingly popular. The Kaiping Diaolou and Villages have left a unique mark on Chinese culture, not only in terms of defensive architecture but also as a reflection of the day-to-day activities and livelihoods of their locality. As time passed, the diaolou and village structures eventually lost their defensive role and became symbols of the strong local identity and cultural tradition of the area. The Kaiping Diaolou and Villages gained recognition and protection from UNESCO in 2007 as a World Heritage Site. The designation has helped to ensure the long-term preservation of this unique heritage, and to educate the public about the significance of the historic structures. The Kaiping Diaolou and Villages continue to be an important cultural and historical site, and are now a popular tourist destination in China. Visit one of the famous monuments of China with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Kaiping Diaolou and Villages is comprised of over 1,800 structures located in Guangdong province of South China. 2. These fort-style tower houses were built by the locals during the 19th and 20th century. 3. Kaiping Diaolou and Villages became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. 4. The Diaolou (towers) served as multi-functional dwellings for protection and defense, as well as for landmark and storage purpose. 5. Some of the towers can even have up to four or five stories. 6. Most of the towers were built with masonry, consisting of a combination of Western-style elements and construction techniques used in traditional Chinese construction. 7. Kaiping Diaolou and Villages remain as one of the most prominent examples of cultural fusion, a remarkable combination of Chinese and Western building traditions 8. The large number of Diaolou and villages is mainly due to the large number of expatriates who returned to their hometown in Kaiping from overseas. 9. The majority of Diaolou reflect the wealth and prosperity of the local residents, as many of them were built using modern materials. 10. Kaiping Diaolou and Villages were named as the Most Exciting Historic Site in China in a 2013 online poll with over 10 million votes. One of the historical monuments of China, it tells the story of a bygone era