Experience Slow Life in Tulou

The charming rural area of rolling farmland and hills in southwestern Fujian is the hub of Hakka people and their unbelieveable tulou. These large, packed-earth edifices looking like a round fortress are scattered throughout the surrounding countryside. Now, more than 3000 people inhabite the tulou and tulou is also open to visitors.

There are thousands of tulou and some of them are over a century old. The tulou mainly lies in three counties including Yongding, Nanjing and Hua’an. Except for the Hua’an cluster, the rest can be visited now. Yongding and Nanjing area are in the general vicinity of each other and you can base yourself in the small village of Liulian, also called the Tulou Minsu Wenhuacun which you can reached by bus from Xiamen, Longyan or Yongding. Hua’an is over 100 km northeast away and is the most visited as separate China trips.

The following will introduce three main tulou clusters including Hongkeng Tulou Cluster, Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster and Hua’an Tulou Cluster.

Hongkeng Tulou Cluster contains some different shaped tulou including round, square and U-shapes. Zhengcheng Lou is the best one and Rushenglou is the smallest one. Zhencheng Lou is the government showcase unit fit for touristy appeal.

Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster

Perhaps the most photogenic cluster of tulou in the area, the five noble buildings at Tianluokeng are made up of three types of tulou, circular, square and oval. When you plan to visit a tulou, you should choose Ruiyun Lou where simple fan rooms are available for Y60 to Y80. If you hire a driver, make sure they drive you to a neighbouring hill for picture-postcard snaps of Tianluokeng.

Yuchang Lou

Located in the general direction of Tianluokeng and originally built between 1308 and 1338, this large five-storey construction has an observation tower and 270 rooms.  When visit there, you will witness how the pillars bend at ab angle on the third floor and at the opposite angle on the 5th floor. It is said that disgruntled builders did this on purpose because of some issues their pay.

Another tulou cluster is Hua’an Dai Tulou Cluster. Located 142 km northwest of Xiamen (one of famous China Travel Destinations), the Hua’an cluster is set in gorgeous surrounds. Here you can experience the idyllic vibe. Cluster admission is about 90rmb.

So if you want to see the tradtional building in Fujian, You should not miss the tulou area. And you can choose any of the above-mentioned clusters for your trip.