2 Days Fujian Tulou Exploration Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xiamen-Nanjing Tour

   Upon your arrival at Xiamen airport (please land at Xiamen Gaoqi Airport/ train station by 10am), the local English-speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from the exit gate of the arrival hall by holding a welcome board with your name, then your exploration begins!

   Driving around 2.5-3 hours, you will be arriving at Nanjing and start your visit! The main sights will be Tianluokeng Tulou Complex and Yunshuiyao Scenic Area.

   Tianloukeng wins its loud fame in the unparalleled overviews of the Tulou group: one Tulou sits in the middle and the other four Tulou cluster together around it. Maybe you have seen the scene many times on those classic publicity photos of Tulou, it’s still astonishing when you stand on the Upper Viewing Platform to behold the UFO-like Tulou buildings. That’s not a joke. These Tulou buildings had been thought of as nuclear bases by the CIA. From the Lower Viewing Platform, you could catch the sights of Tulou from a closer angle.

   Yuchanglou is the most famous Tulou in Tianluokeng. You might think it too common with nothing special when seeing Yuchanglou from outside, but you will realize that you were wrong once you step into the gate: the columns on the corridors are slanted! How could such a huge building be supported by lean columns! Stay calm and no worry for the safety to keep visiting here. Yuchanglou has suffered from rain, wind, and earthquakes in the past 700 years but still survived well.

   Taxia Village depicts a picturesque countryside view where the visitors could get real relief from the busy life and work. A stream meanders out from the valley, the beautiful bridges are over it every other mile, ducks are chasing one after another in the water…the 42 Tulou buildings stand in such a peaceful environment to witnesses how their people make life and develop for generations. Deyuantang (Zhang’s Family Temple) is an outstanding view in Taxia Village. Through the grand building and beautiful decorations inside, you can read the ever glory of this large family.

   Yunshuiyao, with the ever name of Changjiao Village, has been well known in China mainly because the Movie Yunshuiyao had been shot here. Different from those archaistic villages or towns, the dwelling houses, streets, markets, trees along the roads, and the scattered Tulou in Yunshuiyao could be traced with profound histories.

   Huaiyuanlou had been a private school for the large family in ancient times where you still find many relics and learn the private education culture of ancient Chinese families.

   After the visit, transfer to a local hostel in Taxi Village for overnight.

   Note: Please land at Xiamen airport/train station by 10am to ensure no rush for the tour.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Louts Land Hostel in Nanjing

   

2. Day 2: Nanjing-Yongding-Xiamen Tour

   After hotel breakfasts, drive for around 1 hour to Yongding and Hongkeng Tulou Complex for further exploration of Fujian Tulou.

   Walking forward for 1km from the entrance gate, you will get to the core of Hongkeng Tulou: Zhenchenglou which is famed as “Tulou Prince” due to the combined features of Western and Chinese architectural cultures. The mini circular Tulou, Rushenglou by the stream, with a diameter only 17.4m, contrasts sharply with the gigantic Zhengchenglou. The Family Temple of Lin and Tianhou Palace standing at the left and right of Zhenchenglou are also worthy of a leisure visit.

   Please never miss the Fuyulou at the other side of the stream is a typical Wufeng Tulou which has unturned eaves like a flying phoenix and contains the “five elements” in its construction design. The title of “Potala Palace” of Kuijulou might be exaggerated, but the palatial structures with layer upon layer of eaves indeed make Kuijulou against the hills grander and more splendid.

   At the end of the visit, drive back to Xiamen Airport for your departure flight.

   Note: please depart Xiamen airport after 6pm to ensure no rush for the day tour.

   Accommodation: N/A