Qilou Renovation to Greet 2010 Asian Games

Source: Lifeofguangzhou.com

To greet the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, the Guangzhou government has planned a major renovation project on the 2.5-kilometer long Renmin Road, which is renowned for it's antique Lingnan (south China) style Qilou buildings.

During the late 19th and early 20th century, many Cantonese merchants returned to their hometowns from other Southeast Asian countries to start their own businesses, bringing with them exotic styles of architecture. Soon the Qilou building emerged in south China.

The renovation of the Qilou buildings is set to be finished on about January 20th, 2009, according to a worker responsible for the project. By that time the entire area covered by the project - including Renmin Road, Xihua Road, Jinghui Road and Xidi Er Road - will have gotten a thorough "facelift".

(by Carrot Chan, Stephen Roach)

 

A builder working on the Qilou renovation project (xkb.com.cn)

 

The current appearance of a Qilou building on Guangzhou's Longjin Dong Road (xkb.com.cn)

 
llustration of a renovated Qilou on Guangzhou's Dongjin Dong road (xkb.com.cn)

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Editor: Jessie Hwang