Overview
Liede Ancient Village (猎德古村) is a traditional Cantonese lineage village that has survived in the shadows of Zhujiang New Town's supertall skyscrapers. Its ancestral halls and temples, dating to the Song dynasty, sit incongruously among glass-and-steel towers.
Highlights
- Liede Ancestral Hall: A meticulously restored clan hall with stone carvings and wooden beams.
- Shadow Play: The juxtaposition of tile-roofed temple buildings against 300-metre-tall office towers is strikingly photogenic.
- Dragon Boat Heritage: Liede villagers maintain an active dragon-boat racing tradition during the Duanwu Festival.
History
Liede has been inhabited since the Song dynasty (c. 1100). When Zhujiang New Town was developed in the 2000s, villagers negotiated to preserve their ancestral buildings within the redevelopment zone.
Visitor Tips
- Free Access: The temple courtyards are open to visitors; behave respectfully.
- Best Time: Visit at dusk when incense smoke mingles with the neon glow of the CBD.
- Duration: 30–45 minutes.