https://nz.trip.com/moments/detail/kaiping-525-137061996?locale=en-NZ
Lily@456 SimmonsSingapore

The literary granary turned bookstore is a must-visit in Kaiping!

📚 One of the world's top ten most beautiful bookstores! Kaiping's hidden artistic paradise, free to check in and totally enjoyable! Kaiping Tangkou Tianxia Granary Bookstore is a unique bookstore transformed from an old granary from the 1970s, officially opened on November 11, 2023. It is the first branch of Vanguard Bookstore in South China and was named the "Most Beautiful Public Cultural Space" in 2025 due to its unique design and concept. The core of the bookstore consists of five preserved "yurt-style" granaries, named after the five grains: rice, millet, broomcorn millet, wheat, and beans, each corresponding to different categories of books such as poetry, social sciences, literature, lifestyle and children’s books, and art. It houses about 38,000 books and offers over 80 cultural and creative products that blend local cultural features like Kaiping Diaolou and overseas Chinese hometown culture. This bookstore successfully combines historical architecture, reading culture, and regional characteristics, praised as "former granary, today’s bookstore," serving as a model for cultural empowerment in rural areas. Recommended reasons: The new favorite of literary youth! Guangdong’s most beautiful bookstore + Diaolou charm 🔛 🚗 2 days 1 night essential itinerary: 1️⃣ Day 1: Chikan Ancient Town → Tianxia Granary Free entry to Chikan during the day! The small lantern street is a great photo spot, wearing a qipao is recommended for photos. Tianxia Granary transformed into a cultural and creative space, with red brick walls full of vintage vibes. 2️⃣ Day 2: Zili Village Diaolou → Tangkou Market Bookstore Remember to buy the Diaolou combo ticket in advance! Filming location for "Let the Bullets Fly." Free entry to the bookstore! Rotating book wall + glass skylight, photos come with natural filters. 📍 Must-photograph check-in spots: 1️⃣ Tangkou Market Bookstore second-floor corner Sunlight pours through the transparent dome, holding a book makes you look like the heroine of an art film. 2️⃣ Zili Village Mingshi Lou top floor Overlooking the rice field Diaolou cluster, the golden wheat waves in autumn are stunning. 🍲 Authentic local food: Claypot rice: Old brand in the ancient town, the crispy crust is addictive. Tofu triangles: The lively atmosphere under the Chikan arcade, 5 RMB per serving. Eel rice: Kaiping specialty! The rice is oily and the eel meat is tender. 💡 Tips to avoid pitfalls: The shuttle bus in the Diaolou scenic area charges extra! Self-driving or chartering is recommended. Choose newly renovated inns in the ancient town, old houses have poor sound insulation.
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Posted: Oct 20, 2025
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Kaiping Diaolou

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Chikan Ancient Town Guide | Nostalgic atmosphere immersive experience + performance viewing tips The ancient town of Chikan is located in Jiangmen City, retaining a lot of Lingnan arcade architecture and old street style. There are also many theater performances inside, incorporating a strong patriotic theme. Not only can you feel the historical atmosphere, but you can also watch immersive performances. The park is large in scope and it is recommended to come after 3pm to avoid the hottest and most crowded hours and play more comfortably. Recommended routes + must-play items 1. Take a picture on the main street of the ancient town - first walk along the old street, feel the arcade and nostalgic shops, you can slowly appreciate the antique architecture, take some beautiful photos, very contemporary. 2. Theater Performance Experience – The ancient town of Chikan offers different types of performances, including outdoor square performances and indoor theater. Personally, I recommend the indoor theater, which has more atmospheric set design and lighting and a higher level of immersion. The performance was mainly patriotic, the atmosphere was lively and very local. 3. Food Snack Station - There are many snacks in the ancient town, but tried pot rice is more general, you can choose some handmade sweet soup or snacks more surprising, it is recommended not to choose only the most people in line. 4. It will have some performances that interact with people such as the one on Golden Tao Avenue, there will be performers playing games with you, and then you will earn his game redemption tickets, and then you can redeem small objects, such as the small pendant in my picture. (Here's a little tip they say there that earning game vouchers can get 80% off the burrito, I don't think it's useful 🤣 and the street ones will be even better) Photo spot recommendations 1. Arcade Promenade: The whole street is a photo hotspot, especially at dusk, the backlight is particularly beautiful. 2. Historic buildings: Some of the well-preserved old shops have quite distinctive facades and signs to look out for. 3. Theater entrance: The indoor theater looks elegant enough to check in before entering. Tips for visiting attractions - The park is very large and it is recommended that you must drive yourself. - There will be less crowds after 3pm, avoid the rush hour and walk more comfortably. - Pay attention to the opening time in advance to attend an indoor theater performance, some seats may require you to queue up early to choose your seat. - Eating casserole rice is not prominent, want to try other restaurants can ask the locals for recommendations. Precautions - Remember to bring water and a hat, the ancient town is hotter in summer, some areas have no shade. - Pay attention to the flow of people when taking pictures. Don't take too many people together. - Some performances may not allow photography and video recording, please pay attention to the rules when entering. Conclusion The ancient town of Chikan is not only a photo spot, but also a local immersive performance to experience Cantonese culture and patriotic atmosphere. Suitable for parents, couples and friends to come together for a relaxing walk, most comfortable to enter in the afternoon. Related topics: #Chikan Ancient Town #Lingnan Culture #Ancient Town Theater #Jiangmen Travel #Old Street Check-in

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