FIVE hundred people took a rare opportunity to spend eight hours walking to 36 cultural spots in 15 villages in Futian District, celebrating the annual Futian Walled Village Culture Season on Oct. 28.

Representatives from Ma Tso Lung Village in Hong Kong and the Chaozhou youth associations from Hong Kong and Macao also attended the season opening at Xiasha Culture Square in Futian District on the same day.

Now through Dec. 2, more events will take place during the season, including village tours, a photo exhibition, a market, intangible cultural heritage demonstrations and workshops, and other cultural activities.

Inaugurated in 2019, the annual Futian Walled Village Culture Season showcases the cultural identities of villagers from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, who share a common origin. It has been encouraging younger generations to learn about the history of walled villages.

The walled village, dating back to the 15th century in southern Guangdong, was a traditional housing cluster entirely enclosed by thick defense walls, providing protection against wild animals and enemies. Usually, families constituted the residents of a walled village. Nowadays, the old walled villages in Futian have become urban villages where locals and migrants from around the world form a distinctive venue of urban customs and practices.

In Futian District, the 15 walled villages are Shangbu, Futian, Gangxia, Huanggang, Shuiwei, Yunong, Shixia, Xinzhou, Shawei, Shazui, Shangsha, Xiasha, Shangmeilin, Xiameilin and Tianmian. (Cao Zhen)