The Teochew-language film Dear You has become one of China's biggest cinematic surprises in 2026, grossing over 1 billion RMB at the box office by May 24. The movie tells a touching family story that spans from the Chaoshan region in Guangdong to Thailand, connected through Qiaopi—letters written home by Chinese emigrants to accompany remittances.
One of the film’s locations is the Chen Cihong Former Residence in Qianmei Village, Longdu Town, Shantou City, Guangdong Province. Often described as one of China’s most iconic mansions built by overseas Chinese, the century-old compound offers more than a cinematic backdrop. It is a place where we can learn about the Chaoshan culture, the bond that connects Chaoshan people across oceans.
Film captures vivid stories of Chaoshan migration
In the film, the male lead leaves Chaoshan for Southeast Asia to make a living. This was, in fact, also an uneasy choice for many families in Qianmei Village. Chen Zuosong, a former official of Qianmei Village, explained that the Chaoshan region faced the challenge of having limited farmland to support its rapidly growing population. As a result, many men from Chaoshan sought opportunities overseas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Following Chen to explore the Chen Cihong Former Residence, he highlighted the exquisite craftsmanship of the structure, which blends Western techniques with Chaoshan traditions. The owner of this house, Chen Cihong, was a well-known Shantou merchant in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period (1840s–1920s). His family business covered shipping, rice trading, finance, and real estate in Southeast Asia. He waived the ship tickets for the Qianmei villagers who took his ship to seek a living overseas, and provided work and accommodation in Southeast Asia to help them get started. Many villagers took this opportunity to make a life abroad, greatly easing the struggle for survival in Qianmei Village.
For many, their trip to Southeast Asia was less about adventure and more about enduring hardship. Yang Zhe, Operations Director of the Chen Cihong Former Residence, recalled a Teochew folk song from that time: "A boatload of tears, a boatload of people. With only a towel, they cross the sea." Families also made Tee Kueh, a sweet glutinous rice cake, which was the only food during long sea voyages. A local saying captures the moment of departure: "Left with no choice but to steam Tee Kueh for her husband before he sailed." Both these lines showcase the challenges they faced on their journey.
The history of migration continues to shape Qianmei today. According to Chen Zuosong, the village has more than 6,800 residents, with over 12,000 villagers and relatives living overseas. "Almost every household in our village received Qiaopi at that time," Chen Zuosong furthered, sharing stories and emotions that resonate with the film.
Chaoshan values carved in bricks and tiles
For Teochew people who prospered abroad, building a home in their ancestral village was one of the most meaningful things they could do, a tribute to their ancestors and a legacy for their descendants. The Chen Cihong Former Residence is a notable example, as it is known as one of the most iconic mansions built by overseas Chinese.
Covering more than 20,000 square meters and containing over 500 rooms, the compound adopts the traditional Teochew residential layout. Its courtyards, wood carvings, and stone carvings retain a strong local character. Yet imported coloured tiles, glasswork, Roman columns, and arched porches also reveal the influence of life and business overseas.
Shanjushi Mansion stands as the largest, most exquisitely designed, and best-preserved mansion inside the residence. According to Yang Zhe, the construction of the mansion began in 1922 and lasted for 17 years. It was led by Chen Litong, the youngest son of Chen Cihong. As Chen Litong died young, his wife Li Xiuwan oversaw the remaining construction. "From the design of this mansion, we can see what a Teochew woman valued in a home," Yang said.
The design thoughtfully blends Eastern and Western motifs. Above one doorway, the porch features rounded arches reminiscent of a European church dome, while the lower part is decorated with Chinese tiles with peaches, a symbol of longevity. Inside, colourful floor tiles are arranged into a carpet pattern in the reception area to welcome guests, showcasing the Teochew hospitality. A traditional fangsheng pattern above a doorway shows the devoted love of the woman who continued building the home after her husband's death.
Throughout the mansion, imported materials such as British tiles, Japanese glass, and teak are abundantly used. Yet, Yang stressed that these foreign elements never overshadow the residents' Teochew essence. "The family encountered different influences through their business in Southeast Asia, but they never lost touch with their own roots," Yang said. "The mansion blends many Chinese and Western elements, yet at its heart, it remains a traditional Teochew home."
For overseas Teochew families, building a house back in their hometown was never merely a display of wealth. Such a home sheltered relatives, strengthened family bonds, and reminded future generations of where their story began.
Qiaopi reveals commitment of Chaoshan community
To help visitors understand the past lives of Chaoshan people, the Former Residence of Chen Cihong features a Qiaopi-themed exhibition. Qiaopi were more than family letters sent by Chinese emigrants overseas, as they included remittances that supported their loved ones in China. In 2013, the Qiaopi and Yinxin correspondence and remittance documents were inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.
The money sent home was often small because the senders themselves faced tough living conditions. Chen Zuosong recalled one letter from a migrant who had fallen ill and earned no income that month. His family still relied on him, so he borrowed two silver coins (the standard silver currency in late Qing and Republican China, roughly equivalent to a month's salary) from a friend and sent the money home. Another Qiaopi, Yang said, contained just one Chinese character: nan (“难”), meaning difficult. "Earning money was hard. Writing home was hard. Returning home was hard. Missing one's family was even harder," he explained.
For some migrants, sailing to the south is a one-way trip. Yang said some Teochew people died overseas, leaving families to receive only a written record of their name and birth details, which allowed relatives to symbolically bring their spirit home. "After watching Dear You, people from Qianmei Village came back in tears," Chen Zuosong said. The separations on screen echoed the experiences of their own families.
Yet the Teochew attachment to home was expressed not only through letters and money, but also through support for fellow villagers and education for the next generation. Successful overseas Teochew donated funds to build schools in their hometowns, especially from the 1980s onward. In 1907, the Chen family helped establish Chengde Primary School in Qianmei, a pioneer of free education in the village. Today, the old school building serves as a kindergarten, where the laughter of a new generation echoes through its century-old halls, passing down a shared culture that binds the community together.
Chief Planner: Zhang Chunqing
Coordinator: Li Lin
Executive Producers: Shen Chen, Yin Juewen
Reporter: Ding Hefei
Video: Luo Yuan, Li Jiangrui
Poster: Wu Junli
Proofreader: Chen Xuede, Lai Yuqing