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scrolling through travel social media, you must have seen them: rows of arcaded buildings with intricate facades, bathed in the tropical sunlight of Hainan. These century-old architectural clusters, especially the Qilou (arcade houses) in Haikou, have become iconic backdrops for photos. But beyond the photogenic surface, have you ever wondered what stories these silent witnesses hold? Who built them, and why do they look so uniquely “half-foreign, half-Chinese”? This article is for the curious novice—let’s demystify these architectural gems together, moving from mere appreciation to understanding.
When you first encounter images of Hainan’s century-old buildings, the immediate impression is one of distinctive hybridity. They don’t fit neatly into traditional Chinese palace architecture or pure Western styles. They are a fascinating blend.
*The Haikou Qilou Old Street:This is undoubtedly the most photographed. The pictures typically show continuous rows of buildings,with the most defining feature being the covered, publicly accessible walkway on the ground floor. This design, perfect for Hainan’s sunny and rainy climate, allows for shopping and strolling sheltered from the elements. The upper facades are often adorned withelaborate stucco reliefs and decorative patterns, some showing the rounded, ornate influence of European Baroque styles. White walls contrasted with blue or green window frames, occasionally brightened by bougainvillea, create an instantly captivating scene. It naturally raises the question: why do these buildings in China carry such a strong Southeast Asian flair?
*Overseas Chinese Mansions like the Cai Family Compound in Qionghai:If the Qilou represents a bustling “street scene,” mansions like the Cai Family Compound represent an imposing “home scene.” Photos emphasize their grandeur—high walls, large courtyards, and a more pronounced fusion. You can seetraditional Chinese roof tiles and carved beamsharmoniously combined withSoutheast Asian elements like arches, stained glass, and louvered windows. The imagery evokes a sense of solid, earned prosperity, different from the Qilou’s commercial vibrancy.
*Traditional Dwellings & Historic Residences:Examples include Qiu Jun’s Former Residence and the Hou Family Compound (Xuande Di) in Haikou. Pictures of these sites lean towards a “classical Central Plains” aesthetic. Wooden structures, symmetrical layouts, and exquisite brick and wood carvings are highlighted. They reveal a deeper cultural stratum in Hainan, one intimately connected to the roots of Chinese civilization beyond the island’s coastal image.
To quickly grasp the differences, consider this comparison:
| 建筑类型 | 图片给人的第一印象 | 核心视觉特征（图片重点） |
|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| HaikouQilouClusters | Lively,Foreign-inspired,Vernacular | Continuousarcades(Qilou),SoutheastAsianfacadedecorations,street-levelshops |
| CaiFamilyCompoundetc. | Stately,Solid,HybridStyle | Large-scalestructure,fusiondetails(stainedglass/RomancolumnswithChinesecarvings) |
| QiuJun’sFormerResidenceetc. | Ancient,Elegant,Scholarly | Woodenhallstructures,traditionalinscribedboards,Chinesecourtyardlayout |
Now, the central question emerges:Why does Hainan, in particular, have such concentrated and distinctive “hybrid” century-old architecture?Is it merely about aesthetics?
The answer lies in a grand historical narrative of “venturing out and returning home.” This story unfolds in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when many Hainanese sought livelihoods abroad,venturing to Southeast Asia (Nanyang). Through hard work in trade, plantation agriculture, and other ventures, a significant number prospered, becoming part of the overseas Chinese community.
Success abroad fostered a deep longing for home.These successful returnees came back to Hainan with their fortunes and the new ideas they had encountered. They aimed to achieve two things: to honor their families by building impressive homes and to contribute to their hometowns’ development.
What kind of houses did they build? Naturally, they incorporated the practical and admired architectural styles from their Nanyang experiences. The arcaded “Qilou” design, ideal for hot and rainy climates, was perfectly suited for Hainan, providing sheltered space for commerce and daily life. Simultaneously, they incorporated popular European architectural elements prevalent in Southeast Asia at the time, such as Baroque-style ornate decorations, arches, and moldings. At their core, however, they retained deep respect for Chinese traditions—family values, ancestral rites, and architectural norms. Thus, while the Cai Family Compound’s exterior shows Nanyang influences, its internal layout and hall structures remain fundamentally Chinese.
Therefore,these century-old architectural clusters are not mere foreign copies. They are, brick by brick, a “tangible history book of the overseas Chinese experience.”Every decorative motif might conceal a family’s complete story of leaving home, striving for success, and finally returning to their roots. They bear witness to Hainan’s dynamic modern history of migration and openness. Understanding this transforms your perception of those building images. They cease to be just “picturesque houses” and becomevessels of warm, resilient family memories.
Armed with this context, here are a few tips to help you discern more details in these architectural photos and impress your friends with deeper insights.
1.Look at the “Arcade”: The Essence of “Qi.”Focus on whether the ground floor incorporates a public, covered walkway. This is the quintessential functional design of Qilou, born from adapting to the local climate and commercial needs.
2.Observe “Windows & Walls”: Spotting Cultural Fusion.Pay attention to window shapes and adornments. Are they traditional Chinese lattice windows, or Nanyang-style stained glass or louvered windows? Are the wall reliefs Chinese auspicious symbols (bats, peonies) or Western motifs like scrollwork or Greek columns? This fusion is the most visual attraction.
3.Check the “Roofline”: The Parapet Wall’s Playfulness.Look up at the top edge of the building (the parapet or “daughter wall”). It’s rarely plain. Some are wavy, some castellated, some topped with small pillars. The varied forms of these parapet walls are a delightful decorative feature of Nanyang-style Qilou.
4.Feel the “Street”: Capturing Living Context.Don’t focus solely on single buildings. Observe the street layout in the pictures. Are the buildings connected? What kinds of shops line the street? Are there local elders sitting by doorways? This living atmosphere showcases the vitality of these architectural clusters.
The greatest allure of Hainan’s century-old architectural clusters lies in their “layered narrative.” At first glance, you see exotic charm. Upon closer look, you discover a Chinese core. Delving into their history, you touch the nostalgia and struggles of a generation of overseas Chinese. They add a layer of cultural depth absent from pure natural scenery. On your next Hainan trip planning, besides checking the weather for beach days, consider finding a soft-lit afternoon to wander these old streets. Touch the columns smoothed by time, and you might find that feeling stays with you longer than a day on the sand. Sometimes, travel is about listening to a place’s past stories.
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