Elderly people prepare their coffins ahead of time and store the coffins at the attic.

And you are bound to meet curious and friendly children with local accent and vocabulary asking, "What are you doing here?"

Sunshine sanctuary

"Left-home children" remains an issue here. Young parents work in big cities to earn a better living for the family, leaving their children behind where parenting has to be done by grandparents or relatives.

The town is small but there is a backpacker's accommodation, a food market, and several grocery stores - some of them even offer grilled sausage, seafood and meat as snacks.

You can also consider the option of spending a night in nearby Qingyuan city - located only two-and-a-half-hour drive away - where you can hire a boat to go down the Beijiang River that runs through the center of Qingyuan. Bring your own ingredients and request the boatman to cook you a meal, local style.

The following day head down to Yingde, where you can spend half a day exploring the town's beautiful mountains and creeks. Then, spend the evening in one of the guest houses in Yingde.

Like many remote destinations in China, Baiwan tourism is growing in gentle steps. More visitors learn about this quaint place as part of the famous "West Yingde Corridor of Mountain Ranges".

For tourists looking for monumental attractions, the century-old Yang Gong Temple built in early Song Dynasty (960-1279) and Nationalist Government General Chen Keyu's summer residence are definitely the hidden treasures of Baiwan.

If you have more time, spend a few more days exploring Baiwan and its charming vicinity. You could follow the scent of camphor to find a carpenter's lodge in the forest, and appreciate their masterpieces of Buddha statues, art items and small furniture.

China Daily