Before coming to Taishan, my understanding of the term “hometown of overseas Chinese” remained purely literal. It was not until I set foot on this land that I truly understood why it is called “China’s number one hometown of overseas Chinese”, and why people speak of “two Taishans – one at home and one abroad.”
The beauty of Taishan is a distinctive charm shaped by the collision of East and West, tempered by time. In the early twentieth century, countless Taishan natives crossed the oceans, found success through hard work in foreign lands, and returned to their homeland to build grand structures that blended local traditions with Western architectural features. Among the many overseas Chinese-style buildings, the Mei Family Mansion stands as an exceptionally representative example. Walking through it, you can almost hear the clamour and glory of a century ago, when overseas Chinese returned in triumph to build homes and establish markets.
Even more captivating is the region’s exceptional natural environment. Taishan is backed by rolling mountains and faces the vast South China Sea, surrounded by natural hot springs, a national forest park, sandy beaches, and historic overseas Chinese architecture. The greatest surprise of this trip to Taishan was checking into the city’s first officially rated five-star hotel – New World Taishan Hotel.
Located in the heart of Taishan’s downtown commercial district, the hotel spans 55,000 square metres and enjoys prime lake views. The moment you step inside, you sense what sets it apart from other five-star properties – this is not merely a place to stay, but a “micro-museum” paying homage to the overseas Chinese heritage.
The hotel’s overall design draws inspiration from modern Eastern aesthetics, deeply integrating Taishan’s unique overseas Chinese culture with contemporary design elements. Entering the lobby, the most striking visual focal point is the wall behind the reception desk – it feels as though it has travelled through nearly a century of time to greet every traveller. The familiar silhouettes of watchtowers, exactly the kind I had just encountered in the Taishan countryside, now appear as artistic elements within the hotel space – both intimately familiar and powerfully impressive.
Walking along the corridor reveals another world entirely – dome ceilings and arcade murals drawn from Western classical architecture unfold slowly before you. From overseas Chinese watchtowers to Western domes, in just a few steps you have completed a journey through East-meets-West culture. This is precisely the essence of Taishan’s overseas Chinese heritage – embracing diversity and connecting China with the world.
Stepping outside, the Phoenix Market enjoys a lake-view backdrop, with lush garden greenery all around. Whether strolling through the courtyard to enjoy the scenery or gazing into the distance at the lake’s shimmering waters, you can soothe your fatigue amidst elegant surroundings. What moved me most about this hotel is that it does not simply copy the template of international five-star properties. Instead, it has genuinely woven the land beneath its feet and the overseas Chinese culture all around into every aspect of its spatial design. In a sophisticated and restrained manner, it allows every guest to feel – this, right here, is Taishan.
