Haikou's historic Qilou Old Street area, China's largest surviving district with the distinct shophouses, features restored buildings mostly dating from the early 1900s.Haikou’s historic Qilou Old Street area, China’s largest surviving district with the distinct shophouses, features restored buildings mostly dating from the early 1900s. Photo: Dream Architect/Shutterstock

China's Qing princess lived here: how restoration has revived Hainan's historic qilou shophouse area

  • Aisin-Gioro Heng-rong, cousin of Emperor Puyi – China’s last emperor – lived with husband in Haikou’s distinctive architectural area until her death in 2003
  • District – with ground-floor shops, verandas and residential floors above – has become trendy destination for locals and visitors since it reopened in 2016
Maggie Hiufu Wong
Maggie Hiufu Wong

Updated: 5:39pm, 17 Dec, 2019