Wobbly Little Traveler's Adventure in the Hometown of Overseas Chinese

Adding the Fragrance of Dried Tangerine Peel and Ink Wash Colors to Childhood in Jiangmen Seeking places that can fill both the eyes and hearts of children, this time the adventure map points to Jiangmen, known as the "Hometown of Overseas Chinese." Here, there are no crowded tourist spots, only the reflections of century-old arcades, tranquil water towns resembling ink wash paintings, and the pervasive aroma of dried tangerine peel in the air. This is a slow-paced family journey through history and nature. First Stop: Xinhui Tangerine Peel Village - Adding a Hint of Fragrance to a Golden Childhood The fragrant memory of the journey belongs to Xinhui Tangerine Peel Village. Xinhui tangerine peel, one of the "Three Treasures of Guangdong," reigns supreme here. A "five-senses" educational experience awaits: watching the intangible cultural heritage skill of "three cuts to peel," smelling the deep aroma of tangerine peels of different ages, trying hands-on activities like making a tangerine peel sachet or painting a Xinhui palm fan. Finally, let the taste buds decide: a cup of tangerine peel red bean soup or a tangerine peel ice cream, with their sweet and mellow flavors, becomes the sweetest attachment to this land. Family Travel Tips: Cultural Experience: Let children participate in buying tangerine peel themselves—it’s more meaningful than souvenirs. Second Stop: Qimingli - Listening to Stories from Stones in the Alleys of a Century-Old Overseas Chinese Village This is not a cold tourist attraction but a living, vibrant century-old overseas Chinese village. For my little traveler, every Sino-Western arcade here is a three-dimensional storybook. We slowed our pace to count the carved flowers on the lintels of the Scholar’s House and imagined the bustling scenes of merchants gathering at the Commercial Culture Square a hundred years ago. The most fun was exploring the alleys named after "lanes": learning about the craftsmanship of palm fans in Palm Fan Lane and feeling the traditional festivity in Wedding Card Lane. For her, history is no longer just words in a book but tangible bricks and tiles and an exciting exploration. Family Travel Tips: Fun Exploration: Play a "spot the difference" game with your child to find the combination of Chinese gray carvings and Western columns in the architecture. Third Stop: Thirty-Three Market Street - Strolling Through the Set of "The Knockout" A short walk from Qimingli leads to Thirty-Three Market Street, made famous by the TV series "The Knockout." The name comes from a flight of 33 stone steps, and this place is considered the "origin of Jiangmen city." Walking along the winding old street, flanked by arcade shops marked by the passage of time, we followed the scenes from the TV series and stepped into the lives of locals. We ordered a plate of rice rolls at an old brand shop and bought a handmade Jiangmen palm fan at a traditional souvenir store. For children, this is a vivid window into everyday life, and for parents, it’s a nostalgic journey back in time. Family Travel Tips: Scene Recreation: Share simple stories from "The Knockout" with your child to make the visit more engaging. Fourth Stop: Heshan Gulao Water Town - Sailing into a Waterborne Fairy Tale in the "Oriental Venice" If the first three stops are lessons in cultural heritage and history, then Heshan’s Gulao Water Town is a journey into a natural painting. With its dense river network, it’s known as the "Oriental Venice." What makes it a paradise for children is the Dream Village Amusement Park. The most thrilling attraction is the country’s first amphibious "Flying Fish Train," which feels like an adventurous quest. Kids can play freely in the Mud Island, slide down giant slides, or catch fish in creative ways at Fishing Island, fully unleashing their nature. When tired, don’t miss the "Dream Across the Sea" boat ride. Glide on a small boat through vast lotus ponds and ancient banyan trees, watching egrets soar, and truly experience the poetic beauty of "sailing on green waves, wandering in a painting." Family Travel Tips: Itinerary Planning: Allocate half a day to Gulao Water Town, combining boat rides with leisure activities. Travel Plan: A 2-3 day trip is recommended. On the first day, explore Qimingli and Thirty-Three Market Street in Jiangmen city and stay overnight. On the second morning, visit Tangerine Peel Village and then head to Gulao Water Town. During this journey, we listened to the rain under the arcades, watched clouds from a boat on the lotus pond, and read the passage of time in the rich aroma of tangerine peel. The wobbly little traveler measured the depth of the overseas Chinese hometown’s history with her tiny steps and captured the gentle beauty of Lingnan’s water towns with her clear eyes. Jiangmen is truly a treasure city to be explored hand in hand, slowly and meaningfully.