Qiangang village lies in the town of Taiping in Conghua district of South China's Guangdong province. Located in southwest Taiping town, it covers 4.67 square kilometers and has a population of around 2,500. Originally built in the Song Dynasty (420-479), the village has a history of over 800 years, 200 years plus longer than that of Conghua district itself.

It has many charms based on its long historical heritage and natural characteristics. It is home to the only ancient building under the national protection in the district, a nationally renowned carved wood artwork, and is renowned for its variety of lychee. Its weighty heritage makes it the only national cultural relic protection unit in Conghua district.

Ancient buildings

Mostly built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the village's ancient buildings include over 900 houses, ancestral halls, academies and watchtowers, with an area of 44,000 square meters. Its zigzag alleyways made of irregular-shaped stones have earned it the title "maze village".

Guangyu Ancestral Temple, one of the most famous ancient buildings in Qiangang, was built over 600 years ago, in 1406. It is the only ancestral temple in China that has a historical record of five renovations. The temple won first place as an "outstanding project award" in the UNESCO Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage Protection Awards in 2003, and was listed in the sixth group of national key cultural relic protection units in 2006.

Breathtaking wood carving

One of the village's watchtowers houses an unparalleled treasure of verge board artwork, which depicts the scenery by the Pearl River in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is known as Guangzhou's version of the famous scroll painting from the Song dynasty Along the River during the Qingming Festival.

Nuomici lychee variety

Located at the Tropic of Cancer, Qiangang village is a renowned lychee production base. Qiangang Nuomici lychee variety has a planting history of over 200 years and is acclaimed nationwide. It is listed as a protected product under China's national geographical trademarks.

Developments based on the three characteristics

Qiangang village is a site along the South China Historical Trail. Taiping town has cultivated a development model integrating agriculture with tourism for Qiangang by launching a series of promotions involving its lychee variety and featuring the ancient courier road. They even extend to orienteering competitions linking the attractions.

To aid the village's exposure Taiping has upgraded facilities around the village's west-faced gate, Zhenhua Gate, connected the waterways of Qiangang village and nearby Wenge village and built a landscape belt along the waterway.

The road at the Zhenhua Gate has been renovated and leisure facilities added. An 8-kilometer long newly-built asphalt road has made driving and walking much more pleasant for both visitors and local residents. The village has also color painted some street buildings to add more vitality and culture.

More work will now be done on relic protection and infrastructure and public facility upgrading to achieve the goal of rural revitalization and to enhance people's sense of fulfillment and happiness.

Qiangang village is more than ever a valued tourist destination nestled inside a supportive town and district, a tribute to Guangzhou and beyond that to Guangdong and China.