WITH the opening of the 16th Asian Games just around the corner, Guangzhou, the host of the games, is drawing an increasing attention from sports fans and tourists around the world.

    However, the city has much more to offer. Xiaozhou, a tranquil suburban village in Guangzhou, has all the allure of a southern water town.

    Built at the end of the Yuan Dynasty (1026-1368), the architecture in Xiaozhou is typical of the Lingnan style with single-arch buttresses and carved bricks. The small village is situated on a vast green field, covered with trees. Brooks wind through clusters of houses, forming a maze of waterways crossed by picturesque bridges. On the river banks stand rows of time-honored ancestral temples and shrines. Strolling through the narrow flagstone lanes, one can actually feel the texture of history.

    Among the grey-roofed, low-rise houses, those walled with oyster shells are the most eye-catching. The builders collected the shells from nearby sea shores. The shells effectively drain off rain water. Most of the shell-walled houses have been demolished, but three have survived. These stand as strong today as ever, which is attributed to the building skills of the locals.

    Besides architecture, cultural traditions are also maintained. A ceremony to worship ancestors is held every year during the Dragon Boat Festival. Families get together and visit relatives, even people working far from home return to join the celebrations. Everyone goes to watch the dragon boat races, feast on abundant food and sing.

    On normal days, people observe a simple and traditional lifestyle, a world away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life. This quiet village lured at least 60 artists to settle there, including Chinese painters Guan Shanyue and Li Xiongcai. They have set up workshops, art theme parks and cafes in Xiaozhou, offering inspiration for fellow artists visiting Xiaozhou.

    Xiaozhou has emerged as an important cultural center in Guangzhou with a constant flow of concerts and exhibitions. Initiated in 2008, the Xiaozhou Art Festival has become a significant artistic festival in Guangzhou. It lasts for one month and includes exhibitions and forums on music, painting, sculpture, drama and photography.

    The village is an hour’s drive from Guangzhou and four bus lines also run to the village. Local food made of organic ingredients and fresh fruit make up a healthy diet for tourists and locals alike.(CRI)