When road-tripping in Jiangmen, Taishan, don't just stick to Kaiping! Chonglou Town hides a secret diaolou gem. With 17 century-old Western-style buildings standing together, featuring Western exteriors paired with Lingnan carvings, you can enjoy a private photoshoot for free. There's nothing more healing than a living, historic overseas Chinese village.
📍 Basic Overview
Located in Yongsheng Village, Baigang Village Committee, Chonglou Town, Taishan City (Navigation: Yongsheng Village; ensure it's in Taishan). Highlights include century-old overseas Chinese Western-style building clusters, an authentic atmosphere, and a retro, film-like aesthetic. Perfect for road trips connecting to the Jiangmen Kaiping Diaolou route, cultural photography, and slow-paced relaxation. Admission is free, and there is free parking at the village entrance.
🗺️ Core Attractions & Visuals
1. 17 century-old Western-style building cluster: Built between 1920–1924, these buildings are over 3 stories high (up to 5 stories). The 5 in the north and 12 in the south of the village are the most impressive. It was once a filming location for the 1986 movie "California Guest" and was formerly known as "Little Hong Kong."
2. Imposing perspectives: The village roads are extremely narrow (the widest is less than 2 meters), offering a "skyline" view when looking up at the diaolou. From the square in front of the village, the buildings form a quiet, castle-like barrier.
3. Living atmosphere: The original residents haven't moved away. In the evening, you'll see elders chatting at the alley entrances and children running along the stone paths. The atmosphere of daily life flows around the old Western-style buildings, making it far from a purely commercial tourist spot.
✨ Vibe & Outfit
· Visuals: Western arched windows paired with Lingnan gray-sculpture decorations, dense arrays of diaolou, narrow alley "skylines," and warm evening light hitting the mottled arcade buildings.
· Timing: Evening/dusk light is the softest (perfect for capturing the atmosphere). Morning mist or the reflections on the bluestone paths after rain naturally create a film-like aesthetic.
· Outfit: Retro shirts, qipaos, khaki trench coats, or denim paired with a canvas bag or an old-fashioned leather suitcase will better match the "early 20th-century Lingnan" vibe.
🍜 Dining & Accommodation
· Dining: There are no commercial restaurants in the village! We recommend bringing your own snacks and water, or heading back to Taishan city or Chonglou town to enjoy authentic eel rice, Taishan oysters, or beef offal and coffee on the old streets.
· Accommodation: As this is an authentic, undeveloped village, there are no accommodations. We recommend a day trip (you can combine this with a stay in Jiangmen Kaiping or the city center for one night).
🎒 Essentials
1. Protection: Non-slip shoes (the stone slabs in the narrow alleys can be slippery with moss), mosquito repellent (plenty of vegetation in the old alleys), and a light jacket (it can be windy near the tall buildings).
2. Recording: Camera/telephoto lens (for capturing building carvings and the "skyline" effect), CCD/film camera (perfect for that retro look), and a power bank.
3. Driving/Personal: Start with a full tank of gas, bring cash/small change (for buying local produce from villagers or eating in town), and bring your own trash bag.
💡 Practical Tips
1. Traffic/Parking: For road trips, navigate to "Yongsheng Village (Taishan)." You can park for free at the village entrance (spots are limited, so visiting on weekdays is best). The village roads are extremely narrow and passing other cars is difficult; drive slowly and enter with caution.
2. Survival rules: This is a purely authentic living area with no public restrooms or shops. You will go hungry if you don't bring your own food. Do not expect commercial tourist facilities.
3. Etiquette: This is a residential area, not a tourist attraction. Please do not stare at or secretly photograph the elderly, and do not enter private courtyards. Do not step on vegetable fields or crops, and take all your trash with you.
4. Itinerary: Combine this with a visit to the Jiangmen Kaiping Diaolou (Zili Village/Cangdong Village) or Qimingli Old Street. A 2-day, 1-night trip can be done for over 500 RMB per person.
Walking on the bluestone paths to see the 17 connected Western-style buildings, and listening to the elders at the alley entrance share stories of the "Little Hong Kong" past—this trip to this hidden Taishan gem is truly worth it.
Note: As this is an authentic, undeveloped village, there are no commercial facilities; please plan your meals in the town or city center. Most of the old Western-style buildings are private residences and are quite old; please do not climb on or touch them. The narrow alleys are extremely slippery on rainy days, so please be careful.