Huangpu Village stands out significantly from other urban villages in Guangzhou with its cleanliness, tranquility, and a unique sense of calmness in the air.
Many ancient pot-eared houses can be found in the alleys. These alleys bear names that echo their rustic charm: Qingfengli, Laiyanli, Chunyong Lane, Hechenli, Zhongzhengli, and Shenming Street, among others. The exterior walls of these pot-eared houses are adorned with floral and bird patterns. The gable walls of these houses are shaped like pot ears, hence the name ‘pot-eared houses’. It is said that these pot-eared structures have excellent fire prevention and ventilation capabilities: during a fire, the towering gable walls can prevent the spread and intrusion of flames; when a breeze blows, the gable walls can direct the wind into the alleyways and then into the houses through doors and windows. Folklore also suggests that ‘pot-eared houses’ symbolize wealth, auspiciousness, and abundance. The lanes in Huangpu Village are orderly and well-organized, with the village laid out in a flat grid pattern. A central alley serves as the axis, with residences on either side, forming a series of courtyards within courtyards, known as the ‘comb layout’ characteristic of Guangdong rural areas. The existing ancestral halls in Huangpu Village are an integral part of the traditional architecture preserved in the village. The style of these halls is consistent with the architectural style and design of ancestral halls in the Pearl River Delta region: constructed with blue bricks, granite skirting, and wind-fire mountain walls; the ridges are often decorated with grey-sculpted floral and bird motifs, as well as antique cultural decorations; the stone lions on the central hall’s platform, stone pillars, and stone beams exhibit a bold carving style; the beams are intricately carved with floral, bird, and human motifs. Opening times: The village is open all year round, 24 hours a day.
