Qionghai Cai Family Mansion｜Travel Through a Century to Touch the Warmth of Nanyang's Bygone Era

Nestled in the tranquil village of Bo'ao, Qionghai, lies a "living museum" frozen in time—the Cai Family Mansion. With its weathered arcades, exquisite carvings, and dust-laden stories, every detail here whispers the legendary lives of overseas Chinese pioneers!

🏰 Architectural Aesthetics: A Frozen Nanyang Epic

Built in 1934 by the wealthy Indonesian merchant brothers of the Cai family, this mansion is the pinnacle of Hainan's overseas Chinese architectural heritage!

• East-meets-West Facade: The four-story red-brick exterior features Nanyang-style wrought-iron railings, arched doors, and windows, blended with traditional Chinese flying eaves and gray sculptural decorations. Gazing up at the corners feels like stepping onto the set of *In the Mood for Love* 📽️.

• Artisanal Details: The stained-glass windows, inlaid with shells and porcelain shards to form peonies and peacocks, cast kaleidoscopic light in the sun. The relief carvings of dragons and phoenixes above the doorframes are lifelike, and even the auspicious cloud patterns at the base of the pillars are meticulously carved.

• Defensive Design: The mansion's four corners boast towering watchtowers with embedded gun ports, showcasing both grandeur and the wisdom of protecting the family 🛡️.

📜 Echoes of History: Stories Hidden in Brick and Tile

Pushing open the weathered wooden door is like opening a heavy volume of overseas Chinese history 📖:

• The Nanyang Legend: Exhibits display old photos and yellowed letters of the Cai ancestors who ventured to Indonesia to make a living. Carrying porcelain and silk on shoulder poles, their rags-to-riches journey exudes both hardship and glory.

• Witness to Overseas Chinese Culture: Dutch clocks, carved rattan chairs, and Southeast Asian-style copper lamps silently narrate the romantic nostalgia of bringing foreign flavors back home.

• Film Location: Featured in *Chef Nic* and *Daughters of Nanyang*, follow the camera angles to snap celebrity-worthy shots!

🍵 Immersive Experience: Savor the Essence of Overseas Chinese Life

More than a visit, immerse yourself in the "breath" of the Cai Family Mansion!

• Old House Afternoon Tea: Sit on rattan chairs in the courtyard with a cup of partridge tea and "chicken dung vine" rice cakes, watching geometric shadows dance in the sunlight—pure bliss.

• Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshops: Learn Qionghai coconut carving from a master or dress in retro outfits like Republic-era cheongsams or Nanyang sarongs for a vintage photoshoot.

• Twilight Romance: At dusk, the setting sun gilds the red-brick walls, and light plays through the carved lattices, transforming the mansion into a living oil painting!

📌 Practical Tips for a Smooth Visit

📍 Address: Liuke Village, Bo'ao Town, Qionghai City (navigate to "Cai Family Mansion").
🚗 Transport: ~30-min drive with free parking at the village entrance, or take Qionghai Bus No. 2.
🎫 Tickets: 25 RMB (students half-price).
⏰ Best Time: 9:00-17:00 (allow 2 hours; avoid midday sun).
⚠️ Tips: Wear non-slip shoes for wooden stairs; rent an audio guide (10 RMB) for vivid storytelling.

The Cai Family Mansion isn’t just an old house—it’s the soul of Nanyang culture ✨. Here, bricks speak, and time carries warmth. Come embrace this timeless cultural rendezvous!