China September 2024

We have labelled this private tour as "Nature Tour of China September 2024" as it covers mostly natural landscapes of China and there were no visits to the big cities and no shopping outlets! On the 31st August 2024, we flew to Shanghai and stayed overnight before embarking on a train journey the next morning to Huangshan, where our 21 days nature tour of China began. This tour took us to the majestic mountains of Huangshan, then to the nearby ancient towns of HongCun and Xidi. After spending four nights here, on the fifth day we continued onto the Longsheng rice terrace in Guilin, followed by Yangshuo. This was our first time experiencing the majestic landscapes of terrace rice fields. In our previous trip to China, we have visited Guilin but spent very little time exploring Yangshuo. On this trip we spent four days in Longsheng and Yangshuo, giving us ample time to explore and fly the two drones that I have brought along! From Yangshuo/Guilin, we travelled to Zhangjiajie to view the 'Avatar Mountains' (stayed 3 nights here) followed by an overnight stay at the ancient town of Fenghuang. Next we went to the famous Yuanyang Hani rice terrace (stayed 2 nights here). Although it was not the perfect time to visit Yuanyang, we still went as we wanted to see the place at different times of the year. Nonetheless, we still manage to get some pretty nice shots from our drones! Remaining days of the tour were spent in the ancient town of Lijiang and Shangri-la. After the tour, we left for Guangzhou from Shangri-la by air and spent about 4 days there. We managed to spend a day visiting Kaiping where my ancestral home is and even managed to meet my cousin, nephew and nieces while we were there! What an unforgettable journey! Hope the following images capture what we saw and experienced during this trip.

Below are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites we have visited in China on this trip: UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites 1.Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui - Xidi and Hongcun (2000) 2.Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (2013). 3.Kaiping Diaolou and Villages (2007) 4.Old Town of Lijiang (1997). UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. 1.Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area (1992) UNESCO World Mixed Heritage Site. 1.Mount Huangshan (1990)

A Flower On The Brush Tip (2 September 2024)

Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens and stitched together in LR. No drones allowed in the Huangshan  National Park areas, thus all photos taken with my Canon R5 dslr camera.

Guangmingding & Flying-Over Rock  (2 September 2024)

Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens.

Sunrise at Danxia Peak (3 September 2024)

Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens and stitched together in LR.

Sunrise at Danxia Peak (3 September 2024)

Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens.

Xidi Ancient Village (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 PRO drone and stitched in LR. Although no drones were allowed in the Huangshan National Park, in the nearby Xidi and Hongcun villages we can fly our drones to our heart content.

Xidi Ancient Village (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched in LR.

Xidi Ancient Village (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a Canon R5 camera, RF 24-70mm lens plus tripod and stitched in LR.

Xidi Ancient Village (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Xidi Village (西递村), located in Anhui province, dates back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, making it nearly a thousand years old. Nestled between the green hills and clear waters, with Mount Huangshan to the north and Mount Baiyue to the south, Xidi is a beautiful ancient village of Hui-style architecture, characterised not by their size, but by their white-washed walls, black tile roofs, elegant woodcut panels, and intricately carved stone reliefs. Often referred to as a “paradise on earth” and “the most beautiful village in the world,” it is also known as the “treasure house of ancient architecture” and a “museum of Ming and Qing residences.” Xidi’s architectural highlights include its memorial arches, ancestral halls, and residential houses. Notable landmarks are the Dafu Di, Hu Wenguang Archway, Lingyun Pavilion, and Ruiyu Hall. Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched in LR.

Xidi Ancient Village (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched in LR.

Xidi Ancient Village (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched in LR.

Xidi Ancient Village (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched in LR.

Hui Style Architecture (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Hui Style Architecture (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

West Garden (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Hui Style Architecture (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Hui Style Architecture (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Hui Style Architecture (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Hui Style Architecture (4 September 2024)

Xidi, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Hongcun Ancient Village (4 September 2024)

Hongcun, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a Canon R5 camera, RF 24-70mm lens plus tripod and stitched in LR.

Hongcun Ancient Village (4 September 2024)

Hongcun, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched in LR.

Top Down Panorama of Hongcun Ancient Village (4 September 2024)

Hongcun, Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched in LR.

Nine Dragons & Five Tigers, Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR.

Nine Dragons & Five Tigers, Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields(6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR.

Nine Dragons & Five Tigers, Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR.

Seven Stars Around The Moon, Longji Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China
Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched together in LR. Always amazing to fly your drone up to look for interesting and contrasting landscapes and patterns. 

Towards The Seven Stars Around The Moon, Longji Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched together in LR.

 Seven Stars Around The Moon, Longji Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched together in LR. Multi storey viewing platforms can be seen on the middle top part of panorama.
Longji Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched together in LR. Multi storey viewing platforms can be seen on the middle top part of panorama.
Longji Rice Terraces (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

Views from the nine storey viewing platform across to the Seven Stars Around The Moon. Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched together in LR.
Longji Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

We were staying in one of the accomodations on the bottom right of the image of Ping'an Village. Was flying the drone from the open concreted footpath area, Did not realise I could walk upwards from there towards the main housing area in the middle of image! Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched together in LR.
Longji Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

Nine Storey Viewing Platforms At Longji Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and merged together in LR. We are on the monk fruits or "luo han guo" in Chinese are grown here.  You can see these vines here grown and trained to climb up some structures, as shown on the bottom right of image. Best passion fruits we have tasted, sweet, very fragrant and juicy! 
Longji Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

Top Down of Longji Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields (6 September 2024)

Longsheng/Longji, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched together in LR. Taken on an early morning the day after our arrival. Sneaked out of the hotel at the front and walked uphill to fly the drone. Hotel is along those buildings to the right.

Morning Sunrise (6 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone.

Morning Sunrise (6 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone.

Morning Sunrise (6 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone.

Morning Sunrise (7 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone.

Morning Sunrise (7 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.

Morning Sunrise (7 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.

Yangshuo Panorama (7 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China​​​​​​​

Morning Sunrise At Yangshuo Mountain Retreat (8 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Yangshuo Mountain Retreat along the banks of the Yulong River, shown here to the left of the image. Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone, hoovering a few meters above ground.

Top Down Panorama Of Yangshuo Mountain Retreat (8 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Yangshuo Mountain Retreat, shown here on the bottom centre of the image. Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.

Morning Sunrise (8 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone.

Morning Sunrise (8 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.

Morning Sunrise (8 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.

Morning Sunrise (8 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.

Morning Sunrise (8 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.

Morning Sunrise (9 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone.

Morning Sunrise (9 September 2024)

Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone.

Huangshi Village Area (10 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Five Fingers Peak At Huangshi Village Area (10 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

The cluster of peaks resembling five fingers can be seen slightly off centred to the left of image.

Huangshi Village Area (10 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

The Five Fingers Peak is to the right of the image.

Huangshi Village Area (10 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Huangshi Village Area (10 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Huangshi Village Area (10 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Fields In The Air (11 September 2024)
Laowuchang Village, Yuanjiajie, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
The Bailong Elevator can be seen in the distance slightly to the left of this image. Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched in LR.
Fields In The Air (11 September 2024)
Laowuchang Village, Yuanjiajie, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
 Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched in LR.

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area As Viewed From Ecstasy Terrace (11 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Images taken with Canon R5 camera, 24-70mm lens and tripod with leveller for portrait shots to be stitched in LR.

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (11 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Bailong Elevator can be seen to the right of the image. Images taken with a Canon R5 camera with RF 24-70mm lens.
Bailong Elevator (11 September 2024)
Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched in LR. Bailong Elevator is the world's highest and fastest outdoor elevator consisting of 3 double decker cars clinging onto a mountain side. 
The Bailong Elevator is a glass double-deck elevator built onto the side of a cliff in the Wulingyuan area of Zhangjiajie, China, an area noted for more than 3,000 quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks across most of the site, many over 200 metres in height. Wikipedia
Nature Morning Welcome At Bailong Elevator Station (11 September 2024)
Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
Image taken with a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 at 10.25am. Out came the umbrella and colourful raincoats as we were welcomed by lightning, thunder and heavy rain! We were actually pleased as it created ideal conditions for more sensational photography!

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (11 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (11 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (11 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (11 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (11 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (11 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

"Avatar" Hallelujah Mountain (11 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (11 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Imperial Writing Brush Peaks (11 September 2024)
Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
Imperial Writing Brush Peaks (11 September 2024)
Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
Imperial Writing Brush Peaks (11 September 2024)
Tianzi Mountain Natural Reserve, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
On the second day of our Zhangjiajie tour, when we arrived to take the Bailing elevator, it was raining heavily with lightning and thunder. Luckily later in the morning the rain stopped and the peaks were covered mists/fog, What a sight! Images taken with Canon R5 camera, 24-70mm lens and tripod with leveller for portrait shots to be stitched in LR.

Tianmen Mountain (12 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

A Foggy Morning (12 September 2024)

Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Tianmen Mountain (12 September 2024)

Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

Lady in Red (12 September 2024)

Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China

The Ancient Town of Fenghuang at Sunset (13 September 2024)

Fenghuang, Xiangxi, Hunan, China

Images taken with a  DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR. Fenghuang (Phoenix) Ancient Town is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Ancient Town of Fenghuang at Sunrise (13 September 2024)

Fenghuang, Xiangxi, Hunan, China

Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens on a tripod and stitched together in LR. Woke up early to stroll along the waterfront before the town wakes up, my favourite time of the day for photography.

The Ancient Town of Fenghuang at Sunrise (13 September 2024)

Fenghuang, Xiangxi, Hunan, China

Images taken with a  DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and stitched together in LR.

Panorama of Bada Rice Terraces (15 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China
Yuanyang Rice Terraces covers an area of 17000 hectares and a history of more than 1300 years.  The core area of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013!  Main attractions can be at Laohuzui Rice Terraces, Duoyishi Rice Terraces and Bada Rice Terraces. Taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.
Panorama of Bada Rice Terraces (15 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China
Panorama of Bada Rice Terraces (15 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China
Top Down Panorama of Bada Rice Terraces (15 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China
Duoyishi Rice Terraces (15 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone.

Top Down Panorama of Bada Rice Terraces (15 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone

Top Down Panorama of Bada Rice Terraces (15 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone

Top Down Panorama of Bada Rice Terraces (15 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone.

Panorama of Laohuzui Rice Terraces (16 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a Canon R5 and RF 24-70mm lens on a tripod.

Top Down Panorama of Laohuzui Rice Terraces (16 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone

Stairways To Heaven, Laohuzui Rice Terraces (16 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone

Top Down Panorama of Laohuzui Rice Terraces (16 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone

Top Down Panorama of Laohuzui Rice Terraces (16 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone

Top Down Panorama of Laohuzui Rice Terraces (16 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone

Top Down Panorama of Laohuzui Rice Terraces (16 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone

Top Down Panorama of Duoyishi Rice Terraces (16 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone. Rice terraces built more than a century ago by the Hani people in Yunnan, China.

Top Down Panorama of Duoyishi Rice Terraces (16 September 2024)
Yuanyang, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone

Blue Moon Valley (19 September 2024)

Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang, Yunnan, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR.

Blue Moon Valley 1 (19 September 2024)

Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang, Yunnan, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR.

Blue Moon Valley 2 (19 September 2024)

Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang, Yunnan, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR.

Blue Moon Valley (19 September 2024)

Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang, Yunnan, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR.

Ganden Sumtsenling Monastery (21 September 2024)

Shangri-la, Yunan, China

Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens handheld in landscape orientation and stitched together in LR.

Ganden Sumtsenling Monastery (21 September 2024)

Shangri-la, Yunan, China

Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens handheld and stitched together in LR.

Ganden Sumtsenling Monastery (21 September 2024)

Shangri-la, Yunan, China

Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens handheld and stitched together in LR.

Potatso National Park (21 September 2024)

Shangri-la, Yunan, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR.

Yangxian Villa, Zili Village "Diaolou" Watchtower (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

These diaolou or watchtowers are mainly found in the villages of Kaiping, Guangdong and they are now listed the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Listing. We booked a private car and driver for the day to visit Kaiping from Guangzhou. Only about an hour and half drive and it is all worth it. The whole area is dotted with these watchtowers among rice fields. Below you can find views of two different villages which are actually located close by to each other. Image was taken from the top of a neighbouring watchtower using a Canon R5 camera.

Yangxian Villa, Zili Village "Diaolou" Watchtower (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

Fang Wenji, who spent time in Southeast Asia, built the Yangxian Villa. It is a julou, serving residential purposes for one owner. At two corners on the 5th floor there are “swallow’s nest” as defensive structures. The name “yangxian” also suggest the yearning for a carefree life. Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens. There are only roughly 1800 of these watchtowers left and restored. At its peak there were over 3000 watchtowers scattered around Kaiping.

Yunhuan Lou, Zili Village "Diaolou" Watchtower (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

Fang Wenxian, who spent time abroad in Malaysia, built this residential Diaolou in 1928. The name “Yunhuan,” with the literal meaning of “the illusion of the clouds,” seemed to suggest that the owner had certain disillusionment in life, images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens.

Longsheng Lou, Zili Village "Diaolou" Watchtower (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

Fang Wenlong, Fang Wensheng build this Diaolou in 1917, and it was the very first Diaolou in Zili Village. Above the archway of the main entrance is a relief (lime sculpture) of a flying eagle. The name of Longsheng Lou came from the combination of the brothers’ given names, Long and Sheng, images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens.

Ju’an Lou & Anlu Villa, Zilli Village "Diaolou" Watchtower (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

Ju’an Lou (left image) is a traditional watchtower with Western design elements, while Anlu Villa (right image) looks more like an early 20th Century apartment block from the west. images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens.

Zhen'an Lou, Zili Village "Diaolou" Watchtower (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens.

Mingshi Lou, Zili Village "Diaolou" Watchtower (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

The Mngshi Lou was built as a residential Diaolou by Fang Runwen, a villager living in Chicago, on his return to the village in 1925. Located within an enclosed courtyard, the Mingshi Lou is built of reinforced concrete and comprises six storeys. The lower part of the Diaolou is built to a very plain and simple design, while both 5th and 6th storeys have a veranda with lonic columns and Baroque decoration. On the top floor, a hexagonal pavilion which is generally Chinese in design, but with European style columns. Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens.

Yongqing Lou, Zili Village "Diaolou" Watchtower (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

This building is not listed on the Zili Village 15 diaolou and villas. Hope the name reference is correct. Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens.

Zili Village "Diaolou" Watchtowers (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

Yesheng Lou is in the middle of image with Mingshi Lou on its right. Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-7-mm lens.

Zili Village "Diaolou" Watchtowers (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

Mingshi Lou to the left and Zhen'an Lou is to the right of the image. Images taken with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens.

Zili Village "Diaolou" Watchtowers (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

To the left and slightly to the back of Yangxian Villa, you can see two villas built closely to each other. Qui'an Villa was built in 1920 by Fang Fuqiu after he returned from the US and Yaoguang Villa was built in1923 by Fang Fuyao after he also returned from the US.

Zuzhai Village & Watchtowers (24 September 2024)

Tangkou, Kaiping, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China

Took this series of images down the road from Zili Village, the real intention was to take aerial images of Zili Village as we are not allowed to fly drones within Zili Village. Zuzhai Village is also a tourist spot but we were not aware at that time. It has an award winning landscaped and architecturally designed public toilet! Took me a while to search for the name of this village on the Internet. Several dialou can be seen in this village. The modern multi-storey building to the right is a homestay and on checking the rates on the Internet, it is quite expensive. To the left, it seems that there are some abandoned building projects next to the lake, probably during the pandemic years. Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR.

Village & Watchtowers (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

These are the village to the right of Zili Village Store and theTourist Service Center, just before you enter Zili Village. Zili Village is to the left of this panorama image. Even here, several watchtowers and villas can be seen. Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR.

Village & Watchtowers (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

Images taken with a DJI Mavic 3 drone and stitched together in LR.

Zili Village & Watchtowers (24 September 2024)

Kaiping, Guangdong, China

Yunhuan Lou is in the front of panorama image, Ju'an Lou & Anlu Villa together to the right and Yangxian Villa to the left. Images taken handheld with a Canon R5 plus RF 24-70mm lens from the rooftop of Mingshi Lou and stitched together in LR.

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