Designed for both residential and commercial uses, they are similar in style and function to the shophouses with five-foot way (Min Nan Chinese: têng-á-kha) of Southeast Asia.

It is a general term for a type of building found in Hong Kong that also developed in Macau and Canton (Guangzhou) from traditional Southern Chinese townhouses.

Early tong lau buildings were generally long and narrow with a width of between 12 and 15 feet (3.7 and 4.6 m), determined by the length of the wooden beams.

meaning "riding building"), is a form of tong lau with an arcade running alongside the road for pedestrian use.

The term was originally "kelau with feet" (Chinese: 有腳騎樓; pinyin: youjiao qilou; Jyutping: Jau5goek3 Ke4lau2), which was first used in Canton's building regulations in 1912, and referred to the columns forming the colonnade that supported the projecting floors that "ride" above.

The ke lau buildings developed in Guangzhou were influenced by local traditions and the shophouses with five-foot ways of Singapore, which were first built following the instructions of Stamford Raffles given in his town plan soon after the founding of the colony in the early 19th century.

Ke lau were built in Southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian) starting in the early 20th century.

[5] Early Hong Kongese tong lau mainly consisted of two- or three-story structures built back-to-back in areas such as Tai Ping Shan.

While the Chinese component was based on building design from southern China, mainly that of Guangdong Province; European influences were usually Neoclassical.

[6] In the 1920s, reinforced concrete began to be introduced as the main structural element, which allowed for a veranda as well as cantilevered or recessed balconies to let in extra light.

[7] Tong lau built after World War II were simpler in design: Iron balconies were replaced with concrete ones and later sealed with windows.

Today it is full of restaurants, souvenir shops and adorned with sculptures and boards with information about local culture.

The historical Bo'ai Road area is located in the heart of the Hainan capital city of Haikou.

With road repair ongoing, and new, tourist-related businesses replacing the old shops, the entire area is being developed as a visitor attraction.

[citation needed] The tong lau buildings in the city of Wenchang's "Wennan Old Street" have been completely restored.

[citation needed] An area within the town of Puqian, mostly consisting of a single street, is lined with tong lau buildings.

[citation needed] Tong lau are also found in Macau on Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro near the Largo do Senado.