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Watchtowers near Kaiping

Typical Housing and Unique Architecture

A Local Park and Hill
Tourist Guides for China
Kaiping Tourist Guide (October 2008)
General Comments:

Kaiping is a major city lying 3 hours drive Southwest of Guangzhou, and on the banks of an important river. Inter-City coaches are the usual means of visiting Kaiping, whilst local transportation is frequent and cheap. Use taxi's and buses, or hire a private driver to get around.

Kaiping and Tai Shan are neighbouring and similar cities each controlling adjoining Districts. They are natural twin cities. The people here speak a local language called 'Hoipenghua', which is a little similar to Cantonese. They also learn Cantonese and Mandarin, and most will also know some English!

An ancient city steeped in history and heritage, Kaiping is famous for it's uniqueness and individuality. The modern city hides many treasures of older buildings and ancient wars. Outside Kaiping you can visit some truly wondrous architectural homes, in the form of the famous 'Watch Towers'. These are buildings for a larger family, its provisions and livestock, and could be considered an Oriental equivalent to an English Fort. Several are renovated and open for public viewing, and I have never seen anything quite like them before

The main industry is Taps (Faucets), and there are literally thousands of tap factories in this area. Exporters looking for taps, conventional showers, and all related accessories should come to this city. There is a small container base here, and companies are used to exporting goods

The city lies on a major river and is famed for it quality and vast selection of seafood, especially shellfish. Most locals choose to dine along the embankment and enjoy locally caught fish. This is quite entertaining, especially as tables are set on the embankment pavement, whilst the restaurants themselves are situated across the road. Towards the city centre there are numerous other eateries, and many options for shopping

Kaiping is also very famous in one other respect, it's people are adventurers. Previously I mentioned the Cantonese were the only Chinese people to leave China for the world at large. I did not specify which cities, so now I will, for there are only three: Hong Kong (More recently), Guangzhou/Foshan and Kaiping/Taishan. I guarantee - if you ask the owner of your local Chinese restaurant or take-away, where his family roots are; he will name one of these three places. Try it and see? Special people

A century ago many left here to seek work in USA. These are the real Chinese people who physically build the American railroads. Many later began new lives in The New World, and so now many locals have relatives living in the USA

Those that have travelled and returned brought with them experiences of other cultures. One of the most remarkable being architectural designs of a quasi latin / colonial type. Both Kaiping and Taishan are very famous for this style of housing, which is only found here throughout all of China

Summary:
Kaiping is very well worth visiting if you want to see a different style of life in Guangdong Province, as epitomised by their local architecture. The people are open plus very warm and friendly. They will be very pleased to meet you and make you welcome
This information is as supplied by the Chinese Embassy in UK, as dated 20th June 2008, and/or other reliable sources. Please check this information yourself as it may alter without notice, and whilst we try our best to ensure it is correct, please do not hold us responsible for any errors - this is intended as a simple guide only
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