A toddler's fantastical journey through time and space, amidst World Heritage watchtowers and century-old arcade buildings, listening to the stories of overseas Chinese.

For toddlers, we seek out magical places that seem to span millennia, places where children can run and explore. This time, we arrive in Kaiping, the "Capital of Overseas Chinese," home to one of Guangdong's World Heritage Sites, the Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, and the living, century-old commercial town of Chikan, an ancient town of overseas Chinese. As our little ones touch the brick walls, a blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles, an epic tale of home, courage, and integration unfolds in vivid detail. Morning: Exploring the "Oriental Castle," a cool history lesson within a World Heritage site, the journey begins at the Kaiping Diaolou. These are not ordinary houses, but multi-story towers built in the last century by overseas Chinese returning to their hometown, combining defense and residence. They blend traditional Chinese architecture with Western styles such as ancient Greece, Rome, and even Islam, making them a veritable "museum of world architectural art." For children, we avoid complex jargon and focus on fun adventures. Zili Village Diaolou Cluster: An adventure amidst rice paddies and castles, we head to Zili Village, the heart of the Kaiping Diaolou. A dozen or so watchtowers are scattered among rice paddies, lotus ponds, and bamboo groves, resembling castles grown from the earth. Become a Watchtower Guardian: Climb the most famous Mingshi Tower and look out from the top observation window, imagining yourself as a guard protecting the village and rice paddies below. Tell your children that these heavy iron gates and iron bars on the windows were all to protect their families from bandits. Participate in Intangible Cultural Heritage Craft Classes: If you're lucky enough to find an intangible cultural heritage market or study class in the scenic area, be sure to bring your children. Make a Zhenhao clay chicken or weave a small bamboo basket, taking this unique World Heritage memory home. Movie Scene Photo Spot: This is also a filming location for the movie "Let the Bullets Fly." You can take a photo with your children in front of the watchtowers, creating a story-filled "explorer" photo. Li Garden: Step into the "Grand View Garden" of overseas Chinese, a private garden built by Mr. Xie Weili, an overseas Chinese from the United States. For children, this place is like a giant treasure hunt maze: Find the differences: Guide children to observe why the roofs have Chinese glazed tiles and dragon ridges, while the pillars are Western Roman columns. Inside the Panli Building, look at the century-old chandeliers, bathtubs, and tiles, and guess where they came from across the ocean. A garden from a story: Wander among pavilions, towers, and flowing streams, telling children the story of the Grand View Garden in *Dream of the Red Chamber*, and seeing how a real-life garden cleverly blends classical poetry with Western style. Afternoon: Traverse a century-old commercial port and experience a day as a "little overseas Chinese" in Chikan Ancient Town. Head to Chikan Overseas Chinese Ancient Town, which shares a lineage with the Diaolou (watchtower) culture. This 370-year-old town has been meticulously restored, recreating the bustling commercial scene of its former "family self-governance." The core of exploring Chikan Ancient Town is "immersion," making it perfect for families to leisurely explore and savor. Hop on the vintage "Ding-Ding" tram: Don't miss taking your kids on the tram that circles the ancient town. The jingling bells transport you back a century, a favorite novel mode of transportation for children. Rowing along the Tanjiang River: Experience a different perspective by gently gliding along the Tanjiang River in a rowboat. See the reflection of over 600 arcade buildings lining both banks in the water, listen to the sound of the oars, and feel the tranquility of this Lingnan water town. Stroll along the arcade street: After disembarking, take a leisurely walk on the cobblestone streets. Play a "shop sign recognition game"—the signs for "Bu Bu Zhai" (private schools), banks, and herbal medicine shops all hold old stories. Replenish your energy by trying local specialties like mugwort cakes and tofu dumplings in the souvenir street. An unmissable nighttime magic: If you stay until night, the ancient town transforms into a dreamlike theater. Don't miss the breathtaking intangible cultural heritage iron flower performance—the children will surely gasp in amazement. You might even encounter a dazzling light show and fireworks display, providing a spectacular ending to your trip. A Toddler's Travel Notes on a Family Trip to the Hometown of Overseas Chinese To help you plan your trip more clearly, here are the key information and suggestions for this journey: Tickets and Experiences Kaiping Diaolou: A combined ticket can be purchased for the main attractions. Chikan Ancient Town: In addition to the main entrance ticket, the trams and boat rides within the scenic area are additional charges. Special Tips for Families Storytelling First: Before setting off, you can briefly tell your children the story of "overseas Chinese," explaining that these beautiful houses were built with money sent back from relatives overseas. This will make the visit more relatable for them. Clothing and Equipment: The stairs inside the Diaolou are quite steep, so please have your children wear non-slip shoes. In summer, be sure to take precautions against sun and mosquitoes. In Chikan Ancient Town, try dressing your children in retro-style clothing for more fun photos. Slow Down the Pace: When taking children to see World Heritage sites, the focus should be on the experience rather than rushing. Sit by the rice paddies in Zili Village, enjoy a bowl of claypot rice in the old streets of Chikan, and let time slow down. On this journey, we not only saw the outline of the world under the domes of the watchtowers, but also touched the deep love for home and country of the overseas Chinese in the everyday life of the ancient town. When my child pointed to the Tanjiang River and said, "Mommy, those beautiful houses seem to tell stories," I knew that a seed of culture, history, and beauty had quietly taken root in her heart. #LittleTraveler #KaipingDiaolou #WorldHeritage #ChikanAncientTown #JiangmenFamilyTrip #OverseasChineseCulture #OffTheBeatenPathTravelDestination #TakeKidsToSeeChina #FamilyStudyTour #littlevoyagerthewaddlewalker #TakeKidsToSeeTheWorld