Case Study | OLD STONE Aged Paving in Chikan Town

Created on 09.10

Walking Through History

Walking through Chikan Town (Kaiping City, Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, China) feels like stepping into a living story. This historic riverside settlement, with arcaded buildings built by overseas Chinese in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is part of the UNESCO-listed Kaiping Diaolou and Villages World Cultural Heritage.

To preserve the authentic character of the town, the restoration team chose not to rely on imitation materials. Instead, they required genuine aged stones—naturally weathered over decades—that could visually harmonize with the century-old architecture while meeting the demands of modern public use.

The Project Challenge

Chikan’s restoration project required paving solutions that would:

Appear authentic – naturally aged surfaces with visible history.
Endure heavy use– resilient enough for thousands of daily visitors.
Blend seamlessly– complementing the arcaded façades and historic setting.
Support sustainability– reusing aged stone materials rather than relying solely on new quarrying.

OLD STONE’s Contribution

OLD STONE supplied Rectangular and Square Aged Paving Stones, each piece naturally weathered through decades of outdoor exposure:

Authenticity: Stones with genuine patinas, surface wear, and subtle imperfections—visual qualities only time can create.
Durability: Structurally strong, slip-resistant, and reliable in subtropical climates, ensuring safety and longevity.
Design Flexibility: Rectangular stones aligned with narrow alleys, while square stones created order and rhythm in courtyards and plazas.
Sustainability: Reclaiming aged stones reduced environmental impact, a value increasingly important in global restoration projects.

Project Highlights

Cultural Continuity: The paving visually extends Chikan’s heritage narrative, making the ground feel as authentic as the buildings themselves.
Functional Performance: Capable of handling heavy pedestrian traffic with minimal maintenance.
Visitor Experience: Tourists walk not on newly fabricated imitations, but on stones that have already lived through decades of history, enhancing immersion.

Client Feedback

The restoration team remarked:

“The paving stones look and feel authentic. Their aged character integrates perfectly with the historic streetscape.”

Local administrators noted:

“These reclaimed stones are reliable under constant use. They reduce maintenance effort while preserving the cultural atmosphere.”

Conclusion

The Chikan Town project in Kaiping, Jiangmen, Guangdong Province demonstrates how aged and reclaimed stones can achieve the balance between authenticity, durability, and sustainability in heritage environments. By using materials with real decades of history, OLD STONE enabled a restoration that feels natural, reliable, and culturally resonant.

For projects worldwide that seek to respect heritage while meeting modern standards, OLD STONE provides stone solutions shaped not just by tools—but by time itself.