Chikan Old Town

Occupying 6,000 square meters, Chikan Old Town was established during the reign of Emperor Shunzhi (1643-1661) in the Qing Dynasty. with more than 350 years of history, the town evolved from a country market place into the business competition between the Guan and Situ families . Memorial family libraries were built by each family and both libraries became landmarks of chikan.

The Buildings and Old Bridge at Chikan

The streets and buildings in Chikan, as they currently exist, were mostly built during the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century and by Overseas Chinese returning to their villages. The overseas Chinese incorporated elements of Western architecture into their new homes . The buildings were three-story structures with a store front on the street level and two residential upper floors. Although the buildings did not have much decorative details,each building was built with a balcony facing the Tanjiang River which flowed along and divided the town . the balcony called Qilou in local dialect became a prominent architectural feature in Chikan .

Expats in Guangzhou often Go to Chikan Old Town to Sketch

While Chikan evokes fond memories of a part glorious life ,it is still very lively with delicious local foods , folk arts, fishing boats, old banyan trees ,600 old Qilou buildings and friendly people , it is a town with a unique presence in the middle of the surrounding crop fields and Tanjiang River.


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