Back in time: Self-Help Village
As one of Kaiping's five World Heritage sites, Self-Help Village has the largest number of watchtowers open to visitors in one place, and offers a rare glimpse into Chinese village life. This is a thriving community where the villagers continue to live much as they always have, except for the colour televisions and the air conditioners. It has a visitor!?s centre, a postal kiosk, a clinic and an outdoor performance venue.
Most of the watch towers at Self-Help Village were built by returning overseas Chinese in the 1920s and 1930s, and several still contain their original furnishings. While some people still live in the low-rise farmhouses, many of the watchtowers have stood empty for 80 years. According to local lore, some have not been entered since their original owners left for foreign lands in the first half of the last century.
Qiangkou Township, Kaiping
Tel: (750) 267 9078
Reaching new heights: Ruishi Watch Tower
Nine stories high, Ruishi Watch Tower rises above scenic Jinjiang Village, another thriving community where life goes on as though time has stood still. The village continues to house 40 families and a population of 100.