Yinglong Tower

　　Yinglong Tower is located in Sanmenli Village, Chikan Town, Kaiping City, about 6 kilometers east of downtown Kaiping. It is the oldest existing watchtower in Kaiping, built by the Guan family. Sanmenli Village was established during the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty (1436–1449 AD), situated in the alluvial plain downstream of the Tan River. It was originally a low-lying area overgrown with reeds and teeming with waterfowl, where flooding frequently threatened the lives and property of villagers. During the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1522–1566 AD), Guan-, the 17th-generation ancestor of the Guan family, along with his wife, donated their family savings to build Yinglong Tower.

　　Yinglong Tower faces southeast and is situated to the northwest. It covers a land area of 152 square meters, with a floor area of 456 square meters. The structure is made of brick and wood, has three floors and stands 11.4 meters tall, making it the highest point in the village. The first and second floors were constructed using large red clay bricks from the Ming Dynasty, with brick dimensions of 33×15×8 cm and wall thickness of 93 cm—these are original Ming Dynasty components. In the ninth year of the Republic of China (1920 AD), the third floor was added using blue bricks, with larger windows than those on the second floor. The third floor features a wooden beam and plank structure. Each of the four corners of the tower has a full-height turret, with shooting holes on the second and third levels of the turrets. The roof is a traditional flush-gable style, characterized by a simple and rustic design.

　　In Chinese culture, the dragon is a symbol of good fortune. The name “Yinglong” (Welcoming the Dragon) reflects the hope that the tower would bring peace, good luck, and happiness to the villagers. After its construction, Yinglong Tower played a vital role in protecting residents from floods and bandit attacks. The tower’s square architectural form remained unaffected by external influences, representing the most primitive and traditional model of Kaiping watchtowers.