Great Weekend Destinations! Kaiping Diaolou | Majianglong & Jinjiangli

Jinjiangli was established by the Huang family during the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty. There are a total of 3 diaolous in the village, namely Ruishi Lou, Shengfeng Lou, and Jinjiang Lou. Among them, Ruishi Lou and Jinjiang Lou are inhabitable, while Shengfeng Lou is only used for defense. The most famous one is the so-called 'Number One Lou of Kaiping,' Ruishi Lou, which is the tallest and most beautiful existing diaolou in Kaiping. These three diaolous were built during the Republic of China period and feature a special blend of Chinese and Western styles. They are quite beautiful, and since there are few people around, it's quite suitable for a peaceful stroll. Majianglong was built during the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China and has been praised by United Nations experts as one of the 'world's most beautiful villages.' Majianglong was constructed due to rampant banditry and frequent flooding at the time. There are currently 7 diaolous and 8 villas, among which only Lin Villa and Jun Villa are open to the public. A distinctive feature of the Majianglong diaolous is their location by the mountains and water, with both the diaolous and residential houses nestled in bamboo groves, blending seamlessly with the natural environment, resembling a paradise on earth.