Old streets, living rhythms

From the ancestral hall, a short journey southwest leads to Yongqingfang, a historical neighborhood that trades grandeur for intimacy. While the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall speaks of lineage and legacy, Yongqingfang pulses with the everyday rhythms of old Guangzhou.

The neighborhood is defined by qilou, or arcade buildings, a hallmark of Lingnan urban design. These two — or three-story structures place shops at street level, while upper floors extend outward to form covered walkways that shelter pedestrians from the sun and rain. Roman columns and carved balustrades coexist with wooden folding doors and Manchurian windows, blending Western influence with local tradition.

Strolling along the bluestone-paved streets, visitors pass beneath weathered arcades flanked by busy storefronts. From the Baihua Dessert Store drifts a gentle sweetness: handmade glutinous rice dumplings coated in fine peanut powder, each bite evoking the flavors of old city life.

Yongqingfang balances preservation with renewal. Heritage craft shops selling Cantonese porcelain painting, embroidery and olive-pit carving sit alongside long-established teahouses, modern cafes and bookstores.