Dawan Ancestral Residence

Located southwest of the Huanping community, Dawan Ancestral Residence is one of the biggest Hakka buildings in China. It was built by the Zeng family in 1791, when Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty was on the throne.

A scene at Dawan Ancestral  Residence. DT News

With a floor area of 166,000 square meters, the residence housed 100 families at the height of its prosperity.

An aerial shot of the Dawan Ancestral Residence. Liu Xudong

The square residence includes six houses in the site's front, interlinked by tall walls connected by corridors. Turrets were built at the four corners to ward off enemies.

The terrain surrounding the residence is uneven, with fertile plains rolling endlessly to the west and the hills of Dagu Valley on other sides.

The residence was placed on Guangdong Province's list of protected historical sites in 2002 for its value in researching the origins, customs, architecture and irrigation methods of the Hakkas.

Location: Hakka Village, Huangping community, Dawan Road 33, Pingshan District

Bus stop: Maluan community committee

Buses: 365, 833, 818, M357, M268, 802, 939, 812, B726, B677, B762, M298, B765

Tel: 0755-28824192

History: Built in 1791, the 56th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)