If you capture a bird's eye view from a drone camera, you will see grey-brick structures stretching from one corner to the other part of the village – all set in a symmetrical pattern. A random onlooker would not only get awed by the structural symmetry but also get tempted to appreciate the unique blend of architectural beauty with cultural elements.

Entry into Langtou village in Guangzhou evokes this kind of emotional outburst in a visitor. Nestled on the low hillocks adjacent to waterlogged fields, the echoes of imperial China mingle so perfectly well with the vitality of contemporary renovation in Langtou village, which is situated in the centre of Tanbu Town, Huadu District.

During a recent visit to this amazing village, this correspondent experienced the majestic beauty of this hamlet, which is a living example of how innovation and heritage preservation can coexist peacefully.

Langtou village, founded by the Huang family in the 27th year of Emperor Zhizheng's reign during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1367), was slowly sailing into oblivion even a few years back. That is when Huadu district partnered with the Guangdong Provincial Vipshop Charity Foundation – an organisation committed to rural revitalisation and innovative public welfare – to give the village a complete facelift.

With a total investment exceeding 200 million RMB (approximately US$27.8 million), the project sought to combine rural development with shared prosperity. The challenge was to keep a history of 700 years intact and preserve the rich cultural heritage while carrying out necessary renovations.

The outcome is what every visitor now sees in this ancient village – nearly half of the 388 historic structures in Langtou are magnificent grey-brick structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties, standing tall with the same pride and magnificence.

The village is now surrounded by layers of history, which include courtyards that had seen centuries of family life, elaborate eaves and carved lintels. Langtou, formerly referred to as the “hometown of imperial examinations” – a civil service examination system widely practiced in Imperial China for the purpose of selecting candidates for the state bureaucracy – produced a large number of jinshi and juren (the two highest degrees in the Chinese imperial examination system), securing a permanent place in Chinese history.

Moreover, the old houses have been renovated into bustling cafes, handicraft shops and modern retail outlets – all creating a picturesque view.

Owing to such thoughtful renovation, Langtou has developed into a booming tourist destination, luring in visitors with its stunning architecture and cultural significance. One of the notable tourist attractions is the vast 60-acre public green space known as “Langna Head”. It is an open-air recreational space adorned with touches of local art and heritage.

According to Yan, a tour guide, the village received around 9,60,000 visitors in 2024. On weekends, the village takes a festive look as the number of visitors jacks up. The average daily visitor flow in the Langtou village has increased from two to three hundred people to around four to five thousand people on weekends in recent months, with a single-day visitor record of over 20,000.

In addition to its historical significance, one of the reasons why this project stands out is its public welfare nature. Profits earned through this tourist destination are utilised to promote economic development and individual growth by sharing the dividends among the locals.

The world did not forget to take notice of this exemplary initiative.

In 2023, Langtou village was selected as one of the first typical villages developed under “Ten Thousand Enterprises Revitalising Ten Thousand Villages” initiative. It was included in the public broadcast scope of Guangzhou's “Hundred, Thousand, and Million Project” series of promotional videos.

Also, the “Langtou Ancient Village Cultural Tourism Innovation Project” was awarded the 2024 National Creative Model Award. Most recently, Langtou village claimed top honours at the SIP Planning Awards 2025 – an award function organised in Singapore to recognise excellence in urban planning.

With all these feathers in its cap, Langtou now proudly holds the crown of “China’s Famous Historical and Cultural Village”.