Xiguan ancient residences refer to the typical old Guangzhou-style dwellings built by wealthy merchants gathered in the old city of Liwan during the late Qing Dynasty. Well-preserved examples are mainly concentrated along DuoBao Road, Fengyuan Road, and Longjin West Road. Characterized by stone foundations, high walls made of water-polished blue bricks, polished wood lattices, Manchu windows with rich and colorful hues, antique tiger-knobbed copper locks, overgrown terraces and balconies with lush greenery and blooming flowers, and doors adorned with auspicious scrolls, Xiguan residences house the statues of Guan Yu and the God of Wealth, with incense burning in the corners. In this area, Xiguan residences are generally only viewable from the outside and not open for interior visits. For a deeper understanding, one can visit the Liwan Museum, which was once the residence of Chen Lian Zhong, a comprador of the British bank HSBC, and is itself a typical Xiguan residence with many related exhibits to see. The museum is open year-round from Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00-17:30; closed all day on Mondays; and open on New Year’s Day, Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and National Day, 09:00-17:30.
