Picture this a village nestled within Tanbu Town. Its name Langtou whispers tales of long grass swaying near a lake long gone. This is Tanbu a place where history breathes in every black brick. Langtou Village itself is a living testament to the Huang family. Their ancestors journeyed from Nanxiong County settling in Guangzhou in 1367. Three distinct areas Eastern Central and Western Langtou form the village. They are separated by a small river aptly named Deep Pool.
Tanbu is more than just brick and mortar. It is a landscape of towering banyan and kapok trees. A 600-year-old kapok and banyan stand sentinel planted by the 11th generation ancestor Le Xuan Gong. Imagine the stories etched into their bark. The village boasts a carp pond connecting to both the Deep Pool and the Bajiang River. A harmonious blend of nature and human endeavor.
The architecture of Langtou Village is remarkable. Over 60000 square meters are filled with well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings. Ancestral halls bookrooms and even blockhouses remain. Many boast three rooms and three or two doors. Their roofs feature herringbone or wok ear gables. Intricate stone brick wood and plaster carvings adorn the buildings. The Youlan Ancestral Hall and Guyi Bookroom are prime examples of this artistry.
Ancient lanes snake between these structures. Names like Yongfuli Yishanli and Renshouli etched into gateway tops. These lanes are narrow ranging from 1.1 to 3.3 meters wide. They are remnants of a slower quieter past. Langtou Village is a treasure. In 2010 it earned the title of Characteristic Ancient Village in Guangzhou. It was later recognized as a Historic and Cultural Village in Guangdong Province. It is a place where history whispers and the past comes alive. Tanbu holds a secret. A legacy carefully preserved in the heart of Guangzhou. This is Tanbu. This is Langtou Village. This is history.