Most traditional villages in Guangzhou

Three villages in Guangzhou won the title of "China's traditional villages" in a list compiled by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and Ministry of Culture. Let's take a tour around Guangzhou and explore the charms of these ancient artistic villages.

Xiaozhou Village 小洲村

Transport: Take a train to Guangzhou from Shenzhen Railway Station and take a bus to the village (bus route 252 and stop at Xiaozhou Village Stop).

Xiaozhou Village has always been known as the most relaxed and artistic village in Guangzhou.

With more than 800 years of history, the village continues to preserve the traditional Cantonese water-town style. There are many Cantonese-style temples and halls in the village. Among them are Xiaozhou People's Hall, Tianhou Temple, Sihai Public Temple and The Jian's Family Temple.

The village, built along a river, is particularly popular among artists and photographers. Chinese master painters, Guan Shanyue and Li Hongcai, both came to the village for inspiration. Because of its good reputation in art circles, it has become the subject of many art pieces.

There are many stores selling interesting products designed and made by artists in the village at low prices, such as T-shirts, stationery, accessories and ornaments. There are also many traditional Cantonese snacks available in the village.

Huangpu Village 黄埔古港

Transport: Take a train to Guangzhou from Shenzhen Railway Station and take a bus to the village (bus routes 229, 59, 3 and stop at Huangpu Bus Terminal).

Huangpu Village is called one of the most "original" villages in Guangzhou.

Since the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Huangpu has been the seaport for Guangzhou and was the only Chinese port open to foreign trade in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The grandeur of that period remains in the form of fancy, brick houses.

The village is also home to a large number of ancestral temples from the 17th and 18th centuries. Some have been transformed into museums, art galleries and gift shops, while a few have been abandoned and are falling into ruin. At least six family names can be found in the village — a lot more than you’ll find in most Chinese villages.

Anglers still live here and take their fishing boats out on the river. If you have your line and tackle, you can also fish here free of charge.

Gangtou Village 港头村

Transport: Take a train to Guangzhou from Shenzhen Railway Station and take a bus to the village (bus route 84 and stop at Gangtou Village Stop).

Located in the southeast part of Huadu District, Gangtou Village is the most "Confucius" village in Guangdong Province.

With more than 600 years of history, the villagers are said to be the descendants of the famous Confucius master, Zengzi. Because of the family origin, the village had been known for education with many residents becoming high-ranking government officials and scholars in the old world. The village currently has ancient architecture covering more than 40,000 square meters.