The Xiahe Road commercial district is defined by towering buildings and streams of traffic. Yet just one turn onto Douxi Road transforms the experience, as the pace of time seems to slow. The neighborhood is shaded by lush bauhinia trees, longan trees, and Norfolk Island pines that spill over garden walls, forming a canopy of greenery alive with birdsong and floral scents. Scattered throughout the area are villas that blend Southern Fujian traditions with Nanyang influences. Together, they create a place that retains the vibrant, everyday pulse of old Xiamen, while offering a sense of tranquility rarely found in the bustling city center.
The Overseas Chinese New Village off Douxi Road
The area has become a popular Citywalk route on social media, known for its food scene, artsy atmosphere, and frequent appearances in film and television productions. Yet viewing it only through this lens risks missing its true soul. Just a few steps further in, the architectural cluster known as the “Overseas Chinese New Village” emerges, with every brick and stone bearing silent witness to a profound history of homecoming, belonging, and the unwavering devotion of overseas Chinese to their roots.
Feeling the Warmth Behind the Blueprint
In the 1950s and 1960s, the newly founded People’s Republic of China pressed forward with nation‑building despite international blockades. This momentum resonated strongly with overseas Chinese communities, where enthusiasm grew for contributing to China’s development and ultimately returning home.
To accommodate these returning overseas Chinese and secure vital foreign exchange remittances, a movement to build “Overseas Chinese New Villages” appeared across southern China. Xiamen, as a key gateway, led the way. By April 1956, the city had established a Preparatory Committee for the Xiamen Overseas Chinese New Village led by Yan Xiyue to facilitate housing construction funded by remittances. The municipal government allocated designated plots of land and oversaw the planning and construction of the Village in accordance with the lifestyle habits of overseas Chinese, enabling them to settle down and truly return home.
Early Reports on the Construction of the Overseas Chinese New Village in Xiamen
Under the advocacy of leaders like Yan Xiyue, a clear vision began to unfold. The design was helmed by Yang Zhangqi, a returned engineer from Myanmar, while a specialized construction team executed the plans. On May 30, 1957, the project officially broke ground. Over the following years, under the efforts of the Preparatory Committee, 47 villas rose along Huaxin Road, Gongyuan West Road, and the west end of Baihe Mountain. Together, they formed Xiamen’s first large-scale residential community dedicated to returned overseas Chinese—the Overseas Chinese New Village.
Building a Tailored Home with Red Bricks and Nanyang Flair
The Overseas Chinese New Village Featuring Southern Fujian and Nanyang Styles
These buildings stand not only as witnesses to history but also as ideal homes tailored specifically for returning overseas Chinese. Under the careful coordination of the Preparatory Committee, prospective homeowners could choose from 14 different floor plans and request modifications to suit their personal needs. From the red brick exteriors and distinctive staggered stacking masonry of Southern Fujian to the Nanyang-style cement tile roofs and ventilation-focused layouts, every detail blended a deep nostalgia for the homeland with memories of life abroad. Ranging in cost from 8,000 to over 60,000 yuan, these villas represented some of the earliest examples of “customized housing,” carrying the hopes of these families for a brand-new life.
Douxi Road Today as an Artistic Landmark Lined with Diverse Shops
Today, these historic buildings have merged seamlessly into the vibrant pulse of modern Xiamen life. Authentic satay noodle shops sit side-by-side with exquisite Thai restaurants, while vintage jewelry boutiques and antique porcelain shops await those with a discerning eye. Here, the old and the new coexist in harmony: tourists relax on café terraces while descendants of the original owners chat in front of the old villas. The architecture serves not only as a three-dimensional exhibition of overseas Chinese cultural aesthetics but also as a “living” neighborhood museum, where homecoming stories of the past continue unfolding amidst the everyday warmth of city life.
Sharing Stories of Devotion and Friendship
The story of the Overseas Chinese New Village is, at its heart, a story of its people. Early residents included prominent figures such as Hong Zaide, a leader of the Indonesian overseas Chinese community; the family of Writer Gao Yunlan; and the patriotic overseas Chinese representative Yan Xiyue.
During a time of critical foreign exchange shortages, many overseas Chinese sold their assets abroad to purchase homes in the Village, driven by a selfless desire to support China’s development. One heartwarming newspaper report from the time recounted the enduring bond between two returnees who had become friends overseas. Hoping to remain neighbors after returning home, the two families were allocated adjacent two‑story residences in the southeast corner of the Village on Douxi Road. Thus, a friendship forged in a foreign land found a new permanent home on the native soil.
Early Media Stories on the Overseas Chinese New Village
Mr. Yan Xiyue also served as the director of the Xiamen Office of the Fujian Overseas Chinese Investment Company. He successfully secured over 12 million yuan in remittance investments, which were channeled into developing the local industry. These funds fueled the construction of key enterprises, including canneries, porcelain factories, and rubber plants. By 1966, the Preparatory Committee had attracted over 5 million yuan in remittances, funding the construction of more than 100 villas and apartments. More than just a residential area, the community became an anchor—bringing together the strength of overseas Chinese to support the development of their hometown.
Transforming from Quiet Sanctuary to Cultural Landmark
Over the past half-century, the Overseas Chinese New Village has undergone a notable change in its demographic composition. While a small number of its descendants still live here, most of the villas have since changed hands. Today, new establishments like dessert shops and cafés create a unique atmosphere where modern life converses with history. As noted by Ms. Weng of the “Miaocuo” (a name meaning “Cat’s Courtyard”) Dessert Shop, former residents often return to reminisce and share stories of the past. These interactions ensure that the historic district retains a sense of warmth even as it takes on renewed vitality. Meanwhile, many historic buildings have found new life as design studios, boutique cafés, or chef‑run restaurants, infusing the district with an artistic and captivating charm.
The significance of this community has long transcended its original residential purpose. The release of the Protection and Utilization Plan for the Overseas Chinese New Village Historical and Cultural Block in 2020 formally recognized its immense value in history, society, architectural art, and urban landscape. The Village has evolved from a quiet residential quarter into a “living architectural museum” and a landmark rooting Xiamen to its overseas Chinese heritage. Its unique atmosphere serves as the wellspring that nourishes the romantic and cultural character of the entire Douxi Road neighborhood.
Preserving an Enduring Spirit of Devotion
The so-called “Xiamen’s Overseas Code” lies hidden within the symphony of red bricks and Qilou (Arcade), rests among the flowers and greenery of courtyards, and resonates through the inspiring stories of those who sold everything abroad to invest in here. At its heart lie two eternal themes: “roots” and “love”—deep attachment to the ancestral land, and an enduring devotion to both home and country.
The story of Douxi Road and the Overseas Chinese New Village unfolds as an eternal narrative of “homecoming.” It encapsulates a generation of overseas Chinese—both their years of striving abroad and the deep‑rooted love for homeland and nation they carried within. These pioneers transformed their life savings and boundless passion into every brick and tile here. They found their ultimate belonging on the native soil while infusing Xiamen with a spirit of openness and inclusiveness.
As the setting sun once again gilds these red-brick villas, the bustle of Douxi Road seems to fade into the distance. What remains is the affectionate echo of history—a poem dedicated to the hometown, written over lifetimes by generations of overseas Chinese.