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Post by douglaslam on Aug 31, 2017 17:45:24 GMT -5
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Post by douglaslam on Aug 31, 2017 17:49:36 GMT -5
I overlooked there is an article on this topic already. I took many photos of old Chikan town in my old thread My Excellent Adventures....
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Post by douglaslam on Nov 12, 2017 6:55:06 GMT -5
I made a visit to Chikan 赤坎 one Sunday about a month ago to follow up on the above news story. While I was in Hoiping, I also did two genealogy enquiries. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikan,_Kaiping ________________________ It is eerily quiet on the day. I can see buildings boarded up or bamboo scaffolding but no workers were seen on site. It is weird. It looks like everyone has downed tool. Just about every building is in need of remedial work. Each one has been modified or altered, with very little of the original features left. I said to myself it might not be a bad idea for a complete restoration of the township in order to preserve it for future generations. Left as it is, it will decay inexorably until its complete disintegration.  The red banner reminds anyone and everyone to vacate the premises by Oct. 16 or else no compensation will be paid.   No workers in sight. Sunday it may be but Chinese workers do not observe Sunday the way we do. Building work goes on. I think they are abandoning the project.  Fay Chee, if you are reading this; this is the Szeto Library but the front gates are locked.  Looking into the grounds of the library, the main door is closed. I don't know if it is Sunday or what. Normally, I wouldn't expect the library to close. But the courtyard does look tidy with no rubbish in sight. Is the library closed for good ? I can not look up Mr. Szeto Liang on your behalf.  A memorial to commemorate seven local young men who fought to the end to halt the Japanese advances during the war. This is my latest impressions of Chikan in a nutshell. It is not until I returned to Hong Kong that I heard another version of the events relating to Chikan. The developers were anticipating a proposed railway to have a stop near Chikan, and they put their faith in a gold rush of a tourism boom. Then, the railway took another turn to bypass Chikan. The developers simply abandoned the project to cut their losses. I have a very good local contact in Hoiping to help me and drive me to places. My travel companion is kaluosima / Carlos. After Hoiping, we went on to Canton, where I went on to see an elderly auntie who was in hospital and Carlos got ready to resume his language course at the Sun Yat-sen University.   This is the hotel and hotel room I shared with Carlos. It was booked for me at a discount by my contact. It costs under US$30 / night, about $26 or $27. It is not luxury accommodation but very acceptable. Everyone can afford coming to China. |
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Post by jschikan on Feb 17, 2018 22:06:38 GMT -5
douglaslam:
I also stayed at the Jin Bi Wan Hotel during my visit in August 2017. You are correct in that it is a bargain. I paid the equivalent of $35.00USD. The included "breakfast" is nothing to write home about as it is actually the employee's dining room. It included some noodles and congee only.
I am making a return trip to Chikan in April 2018 and (if available) plan a stay there also.
I am looking forward to visiting the Situ Library also. I will be updating my family's names to the genealogy data base.
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Post by douglaslam on Feb 18, 2018 6:15:59 GMT -5
jschikan, I agree with your assessment of the included breakfast at the hotel. I tried it. You will find similar fare at middle to lower end of hotels. Some are better than others, though. There is a good traditional Cantonese dining room in the hotel which serves excellent food. We tried it the night before. It was a mistake not to have gone back for yum cha instead of a very forgettable breakfast. Lesson learned.
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Post by jschikan on Mar 16, 2018 1:59:02 GMT -5
douglaslam:
anyone else reading:
I am off on my trip to Kaiping & of course Chikan. I am anxious to see what the status of the project is.
I will make it a point of revisiting the Situ Library and chat with the fine folks there. I am prepared with names to bring current their data base with uncles & cousins names.
Are you able to share with me the specific buslines/train companies you took from HKG airport directly to Kaiping. Do you recall the time you boarded the bus/train from HKG to arrive in Kaiping? I will be arriving mid-morning and hope to be on a bus/train within 90 minutes.
I am trying to arrange a driver/car to take us around during our 3 night stay. Do you have any referrals?
Any additional info will be helpful.
Thanks,
jschikan
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Post by douglaslam on Mar 16, 2018 7:26:06 GMT -5
jschikan,
I am sorry to disappoint you. Kaiping is not my home county. I do not know Kaiping well enough to advise you. I have my 'minder(s)' over there on each occasion. For my most recent trip, I had the help of a true local, who drove me to my genealogy hunt. It was pro bono, and a favour.I did two jobs.
HK Airport has direct ferry and bus services to many parts of Guangdong province. Last time, I also skipped HK and went to my county seat by bus. Log on to HK Airport web site, you should be able to find what you want.
Good luck.
Douglas
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Post by Henry on Mar 16, 2018 10:31:59 GMT -5
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Post by jschikan on Mar 17, 2018 20:08:18 GMT -5
Thank you.
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Post by jschikan on Mar 17, 2018 20:59:51 GMT -5
douglaslam:
Have you heard any more on the topic of the progress or status of the Chikan renovation/revitalization project?
Thanks,
js
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Post by douglaslam on Mar 18, 2018 7:08:25 GMT -5
jschikan, I haven't heard any thing more since. I am only in touch with my contacts when in need. I may make another trip there in October.
Douglas
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Post by jschikan on Apr 26, 2018 14:09:12 GMT -5
I have returned from my 2018 trip to Chikan, Kaiping, China.
I stayed in a suite at the Pan Tower International. The included breakfast is fabulous. It appears the hotel is filled with many folks from the US. Next time, I plan to stay in a "locals" hotel again.
We prearranged for a "driver" for the 3 days we were there. Best thing for us. For future reference, anyone planning a trip and considering a driver, ask me. Our driver is also a Seto. He is experienced, knowledgeable and delightful.
The Chikan renovation "project" is moving forward. A part of Chikan along the river is closed off with access available upon request by the security guard. The library down the road remains open. There are still some businesses open so it appears there are some folks "holding out".
As I am interested in the project, I am keeping in touch with some folks involved with the project. I will receive updates periodically and share here.
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Post by lachinatown on Apr 26, 2018 16:13:04 GMT -5
Please post some photos.
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Post by jschikan on Apr 18, 2019 12:30:41 GMT -5
I am making another trip to Chikan in a week and will post updates to the project. I will visit the folks at the Situ Library also.
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