Kaipingnan Station is just about an hour’s train ride from Guangzhounan, making it a convenient day trip. From the station, a 20‑minute taxi ride brings you to Zilicun, and along the way you’ll spot numerous diaolou and even modern buildings mimicking the look of the diaolou.

Zilicun itself felt like the more tourist‑oriented of the two villages I visited, though even then there were fewer than twenty visitors during my time there. The wide, flat fields and clusters of diaolou create a picturesque setting. Most of the towers were closed to entry, but the one I did explore offered a glimpse into how life once unfolded inside. While the interiors were nice, I found the exteriors far more interesting—the blend of Chinese and Western architectural influences, expressed through imposing towers is truly unique.

From Zilicun, another 15–20 minutes by taxi brought me to Majianlong. This village felt more lived in with residents still inhabiting the houses surrounding the diaolou. I even passed a dragonfruit farm and saw numerous plump chickens, adding a rustic charm to the experience. The number of diaolou here was fewer than in Zilicun, but their placement among dense bamboo thickets gave them a hidden, secretive atmosphere. The contrast between the two villages made visiting both worthwhile.

Finally, a 25‑minute taxi ride returned me to the train station, where I caught my train back to Guangzhou. Do eat before coming here as there was barely anything but a convenience store here.