Kaiping Diaolou and Villages

Jiangmen, China

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Kaiping Diaolou and Villages in Jiangmen, China, are a collection of fortified multi-story towers built mainly from the late 19th to early 20th centuries by overseas Chinese returning home. These structures served as defensive watchtowers, residential homes, and communal refuges to protect villages from bandits and floods.

They uniquely blend traditional Chinese architectural techniques with Western styles like Romanesque and Art Deco, reflecting the influence of emigrants who brought back new ideas. Built primarily of reinforced concrete, the towers feature battlements, watchtowers, arches, and decorative elements, showcasing a fusion of cultural heritage and practical defense.

The Diaolou are set within agricultural landscapes and villages, preserving a historic way of life and linking to the social history of migration and clan conflicts in the region. Today, many remain preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a rare glimpse into Chinese vernacular architecture and the legacy of the overseas Chinese community.