S. China city to protect unique "Qilou" houses

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 ◆ S. China city to protect unique "Qilou" houses

Guangzhou, the capital of south China's Guangdong Province, has worked out plans to protect its "Qilou" houses, a kind of multi-story building integrating Chinese and European architectural styles.

"Qilou" houses, which are popular in Guangdong and Fujian provinces, were built by Chinese businessmen who returned from Southeast Asia in the early 20th century.

According to local experts, "Qilou" buildings are based on traditional houses in south China with features added in such western architectural styles as baroque and gothic.

The first floor of a "Qilou" house is used as a shop, and part of the second floor hangs over the first floor and is supported by columns, forming a shelter in front of the shop. People live on the upper floors.

"Qilou" houses line up to form a shopping street, leaving overhangs on both sides of the street to shelter pedestrians.

There are many such "Qilou" streets in Guangzhou, mostly ruined in wars and the expansion of urban areas over the past 100 years. Most "Qilou" houses that have survived are on the verge of collapse.

In recent years, some "Qilou" streets in central Guangzhou have been rebuilt and turned into busy shopping areas.

According to the government plan, the city will upgrade 36 "Qilou" streets downtown, covering about 10 square kilometers. The renovation project will preserve the original layout of the "Qilou" streets.