Old residence of Cai family

The Old Residence of the Cai Family is a historical house in Nan'an featuring numerous halls with detailed wood carvings throughout. These carvings depict scenes from Chinese folklore and historical events across various courtyards and living spaces.

The residence was built in 1934 by brothers who made their wealth in Indonesia's rubber industry. Following the Japanese invasion in 1937, it later served as a hiding place for resistance fighters in the area.

The residence displays traditional architectural elements through its wooden structures, decorative patterns and spatial arrangements that reflect how wealthy families lived. You can still see how rooms were used for crafts, family gatherings and receiving guests.

The property sits in a rural area that is walkable but more conveniently reached by bus. It is worth wearing sturdy shoes and allowing plenty of time to explore the various buildings and courtyards at a relaxed pace.

A small museum inside the building documents the family's trade networks and their influence on local education. This collection shows how a single family shaped the economic development of their region.