Haitian Tanggou Villa (海天堂构), one of the top ten villas on Gulangyu Island, was established in 1921. It was constructed on the site of a former foreign club purchased by Filipino-Chinese businessman Huang Xiulang (黄秀烺). The villa complex is unique in its architectural style, featuring a symmetrical layout along a central axis, and is often described as “neither purely traditional nor purely Western, but a harmonious blend of both.”
The main gate of the villa exemplifies traditional Chinese design, with its double-eaved roofs and upturned eaves. The buildings on either side of the central structure showcase Greek column styles and Western-style window decorations, while the walls and corners are adorned with Chinese carvings. The central building originally housed a foreign club before Huang transformed it into a palace-like structure with a double-eaved hipped roof and intricately designed corners that curl upward. The rooftop includes a decorative pavilion with a pointed top and a gourd-shaped finial. This pavilion features an octagonal coffered ceiling with traditional Chinese bird and flower paintings. The doors, windows, corridors, and halls are decorated with intricate cement reliefs, dragon and phoenix motifs, and floral designs, making the villa distinctly Chinese in character.
Haitian Tanggou Villa comprises five historic buildings, three of which are open to the public. No. 34 was once a South Seas-style café, offering visitors a chance to relax and enjoy coffee in an old Chinese villa setting. It is now the Xiaoxuetang Wormhole Bookstore. No. 42 houses the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Center for Nanyin and Puppet Arts, with the first floor dedicated to puppet performances by renowned puppet masters. The most architecturally significant building, No. 38, is now the Gulangyu Architecture Art Museum. This museum highlights the history of old villas and the notable figures associated with them, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia. Visitors can also enjoy rare performances of Nanyin music, an ancient form of Chinese classical music.
The villa complex’s unique blend of Chinese and Western architectural elements, combined with its historical significance and cultural attractions, makes Haitian Tanggou Villa a fascinating destination for those interested in history, architecture, and traditional arts. Visitors can explore the beautifully restored buildings, enjoy cultural performances, and immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Gulangyu Island.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | 88 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 15.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0592-2570510 |
Location and Transportation
Haitian Tanggou Villa is located at 38 Fujian Road, Gulangyu Island, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian Province. To get there, visitors can take the Xiamen-Gulangyu citizen ferry from downtown Xiamen to the “Gulangyu Piano Pier” station. From the pier, it is a 5-minute walk to the villa.
