Majianglong Village

　　Introduction       Majianglong Village is one of the four nominated sites for the Kaiping Diaolou UNESCO World Heritage nomination. It is under the jurisdiction of Baihe Town, Kaiping City, located about 15 kilometers northeast of downtown Kaiping. Nestled in the river valley plain on the east bank of the Tanjiang River and backed by the majestic Baizu Mountain, the village faces the clear, mirror-like waters of the Tanjiang. Five natural villages are spread out like a string of pearls, interspersed beautifully between green mountains and lucid waters. The village is filled with lush bamboo groves, shady trees, birdsong, and floral fragrance, resembling a paradise on earth.

　　    The village consists of five natural hamlets: Yong’an, Nan’an, Hedong, Qinglin, and Longjiang. It was built during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period by families of the Huang and Guan surnames. There are currently 171 households and 506 residents. The overseas Chinese population exceeds that of the domestic residents, with many living in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. About 80% of the village households have overseas relatives.

　　    Hidden among the dense bamboo groves behind the village are 15 diaolou (watchtowers) and village houses (lu), which feature distinctive designs and are well preserved. These structures blend seamlessly with the surrounding residences and natural environment. Viewed from afar or up close, they seem like scenes from heaven on earth. Among them, the most representative is the Tianlu Building, jointly funded by 29 villagers in 1925 (the 14th year of the Republic of China) and is a typical communal diaolou. The seven-story, 21-meter-high building is constructed of reinforced concrete. Floors 1 to 5 contain 29 rooms, one for each contributing household—during that time, every evening, the male members of these families would stay in the building to guard against bandit kidnappings. The 6th floor serves as a common activity area, while the 7th floor functions as a watchtower. From the top, one can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Historical records indicate that in 1963, 1965, and 1968, three major floods struck Kaiping. Floodwaters rose above the rooftops of residential homes, but villagers sought refuge in the diaolou to stay safe.

　　    The other 14 buildings were also constructed in the 1920s and 1930s, combining advanced Western architectural techniques with traditional Chinese elements, resulting in a stunning fusion of styles. Scattered among the bamboo forests of Majianglong Village like a string of pearls, they form an awe-inspiring architectural art corridor.

　　 Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province