Kaiping, Guangdong

Chinese Name: 开平 (kāi píng)
Population: 715,400
Area: 2,430 square kilometers (640.5 square miles)
Location: south-central part of Guangdong Province, south China
Area Code: 0750
Zip Code: 529300
GDP (2018): CNY37.38 billion (USD 5.26 billion) 
 

Situated in the south-central part of Guangdong Province and southwest of the Pearl River Delta, Kaiping is under the jurisdiction of Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province. Kaiping China is a famous hometown city of overseas Chinese with UNESCO-crowned Diaolou which combines Chinese and western architectural art, a kind of multi-storey residence built by overseas Chinese to defend brigands. 

In Kaping Guangdong, the Diaolou clusters in Majianglong Village, Zili Village, and Jinjiangli Village are local characteristics. Other famous scenic spots include Li Garden, Chikan Old Town, Nanlou Memorial Park, and Peacock Lake Tourist Area.

It is called the most beautiful village cluster. There are 13 existing unique and well-preserved Diaolous hidden in the bamboo bushes and integrated with the surrounding modern residential buildings. Carambola blossoms will put forth their blossoms from April when the beautiful scenery cannot be missed.

Diaolous in diverse styles and exquisite shapes stand in the Zili Village, but at present only Mingshi Diaolou and Yunfang Diaolou are open to the public. Zili Village also has a beautiful environment with lotus ponds, paddy fields and grasslands. The best time to visit Zili Village is from March to April when rapeseed and peach blossoms are in full bloom.

Jinjiangli Village Diaolou Cluster

Although the village is relatively small, its Ruishi Diaolou is the most beautiful, and the other two open to visitors are the Shengfeng Diaolou and Jinjiang Diaolou.
Highlights: Ruishi Diaolou

The delicate garden not only has the charm of Chinese traditional gardens, but also absorb the elements of European and American architecture. The garden is divided into three parts but they are connected by bridges, pavilions and winding corridors, making people marvel at the ingenious design and stunning scenery.

Tanjiang River passes through the town, and a large number of commercial arcades built in the 20th century stretch for several miles. A unique style in the town has been formed by the old cobblestone street, rusty window grilles and elegant traditional sculptures.

The best time to travel to Kaiping China in spring and autumn. In the spring from February to April, the blooming rapeseed and peach blossoms and Diaolous present a lovely scene. In the autumn of Kaiping, from September and October, visitors can appreciate a vast expanse of golden rice fields.

Because the climate is pleasant with the annual average temperature of 23C(73F), Kaiping is a good tourism destination all year around.

Visitors can fly to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and then take the bullet trains to Kaiping. The coaches are available at the Guangdong Provincial Bus Station, Jiaokou Bus Passenger Terminal, Fangcun Bus Passenger Terminal and East Bus Station to Kaiping, taking about 2.5 hours.

The transportation in Kaiping Guangdong mainly depends on buses and taxis. Buses No. 4 and No. 13 can go to Chikan Old Town and several Diaolou clusters. It costs CNY6 for the first 2 km of Kaiping taxi and CNY2.6/ km for subsequent distance.

 See more: Guangzhou Bus Stations

Here are some traditional foods in Kaiping Guangdong such as Chuci Cake, Cantonese Sticky Rice Cake, Zedoary Chicken, Chinese Pudding and Kaiping Braised Pork.

 Chuci Cake
Chuci usually appears in the traditional wedding banquet of Kaiping, made by the bride's relatives. It is made of glutinous rice flour, generally, two Chucis placed on a leaf, meaning being pairs. The filling is sugar, and peanuts or jujubes are placed on the top of the Chici.

 Aici Cake
It is made of the dried Moxa and glutinous rice flour. Then it is stuffed with granulated with sugar, cream, peanut kernel and coconut shred and shaped into a round or small triangle. On the second day of February in the lunar calendar, people in Kaiping have the custom of making and eating Aici.