Qilou, a type of early modern building where the ground floor is set back from the street to create covered public walkways, is common across southern China’s Guangdong Province, Fujian Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. As well as sheltering pedestrians from sun, wind and rain, these buildings serve as lively gathering spaces for local residents.

At the Nanning Qilou Culture Exhibition Hall in Guangxi, the classic post-and-lintel brick-and-wood structure with flush gable roofs, paired with delicate blue brick and wood carvings, embodies local architectural aesthetics and the charm of a century-old trading port. Through old photographs, physical artifacts, scene recreations and digital visuals, the hall showcases the history, architectural features and commercial culture of Nanning’s qilou, capturing the city’s century of urban evolution and vibrant street life.

To enrich cultural tourism experiences and make traditional culture more accessible, tangible and interactive, the exhibition hall has curated special events. It has created an elegant gathering area and a casual tea lounge, integrating qilou culture with traditional leisure experiences and moving beyond the passive viewing format of conventional exhibition venues.

Zou Ling / Staff Member / Nanning Qilou Culture Exhibition Hall:

"We run all these events to weave qilou culture into the experience, so visitors can get to experience traditional Chinese culture and intangible cultural heritage crafts."