Huangpu Ancient Village

Huangpu Ancient Village

Huangpu Village is vastly different from other "villages in the city" in Guangzhou: clean, quiet, with an air of serene tranquility.

In the alleys, many Huo’er-style houses can be found. The lanes here have quaint names: Qingfeng Lane, Laiyan Lane, Chunyong Lane, Hengchen Lane, Zhongzheng Lane, and Shenming Street, among others.

The outer walls of the Huo’er houses are decorated with floral and bird patterns. The gables of these houses are built in a shape resembling the ears of a wok, hence the name “Huo’er houses.” It is said that buildings with wok-ear shaped roofs offer good fire resistance and ventilation: during fires, the tall gables can help prevent the spread and intrusion of flames; when a breeze blows, the gables can block wind from entering the alleyways and instead guide it through doors and windows into the houses. There is also a folk belief that Huo’er houses symbolize wealth, prosperity, and abundance.

The village lanes are neatly arranged, and the settlement follows a flat grid layout, with one central lane and residential houses on both sides, forming a continuous series of courtyards — the so-called “comb-style layout” typical of Guangfu rural villages.

The ancestral halls that still exist in Huangpu Village are an important part of the traditional architecture preserved in the village. Their architectural style is largely consistent with that of ancestral halls in the Pearl River Delta region: built with blue bricks, granite plinths, and fire-resistant gable walls; the main ridges are often decorated with plaster carvings of flowers, birds, and antique motifs; the stone lions carved on the pedestals, pillars, and beams of the central halls feature bold craftsmanship; while the beams are intricately carved with rich floral, bird, and figure designs.

Address: Huangpu Village, Panshi Street, Haizhu District, Guangzhou City

Type: Village

Recommended visiting time: 3–4 hours

Opening hours: Open all day

Ticket information: Free admission

Huangpu Ancient Port Ruins

Memorial Hall of the First Customs of Guangdong

Huangpu Ancient Port and Ancient Village Historical and Cultural Scenic Area