Rise and Fall of the Qilou: Metamorphosis of Forms and Meanings in the Built Environment of Guangzhou

Abstract

This article examines how narratives surrounding qilou (arcaded buildings) have changed through three very different moments over a period of almost a century in Guangzhou, China. As a result, what public discourse once perceived as a new, modern form now serves as a symbol of traditional local culture. The metamorphosis of the qilou narrative in response to different visions, social circumstances, and practices provides a good entry point for understanding the contestations and dynamics that have shaped priorities in seeing and thinking about urban space in South China. By relating subjective experiences with physical environments, the case of qilou also challenges the predominant framework of the nation-state as an anchor for understanding contemporary China, and points to the significance of regional dynamics within and beyond international borders.