When the armored concrete of a metropolis blocked the passionate connections among the neighbors used to be seen in the Chinese countryside when people are increasingly getting aesthetic fatigue to the skyscrapers with the bright glasses, Fujian Tulou, such a collective folk dwelling building where you can see the traditions of Chinese style family will make your eyes light up!
Tulou buildings are doubtlessly the best name card that Yongding will be mighty proud of. With more than 20,000 Tulou existing now, Yongding has the core sites mainly collected in the four scenic areas: Hongkeng Tulou Complex, Gaobei Tulou Complex, Nanxi Tulou Complex, and Chuxi Tulou Complex. We recommend Hongkeng Tulou as the first option and you can extend your Tulou trip to other scenic areas if you have more interest and spare time.
Fast Facts about Yongding Tulou
- Location: Yongding District, Longyan City, Fujian Province
- Chinese Name: 永定土楼
- Highlights: UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, blending architectural marvels with emerald mountains and rivers, Hakka cultural experiences, photographer’s paradise
- Opening Hours: 8:30-17:00
- Tickets: CNY 90 for combo ticekts (including Zhengchenglou, Kuiju Lou, Fuyulou, Rushenglou, etc. )
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn
- Recommended Visiting Time: 1 day for its essence, 2-3 days for in-depth Yongding Hakka tulou cultural experiences.
Major Tulou Complexes in Yongding Scenic Area
Hongkeng Tulou Complex (Fujian Tulou Hakka Cultural Village)
Highlights: circular Tulou, square Tulou, Wufeng Tulou
Major Tulou: Zhengchenglou, Kuiju Lou, Fuyulou
Hongkeng Tulou Complex with the largest scale and the most advantaged development should be the first option without a doubt if you want to explore Tulou buildings in one-stop. 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 of 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.
Gaobei Tulou Complex
Highlights: King of Tulou
Major Tulou: Chengqilou, Qiaofulou, Shunyuanlou
Gaobei Tulou Complex is perfect for a Tulou day tour from Xiamen owing to the smaller scale, the concentrated locations of Tulous as well as the famous “King of Tulou”. Usually, 1-2 hours is enough to catch a glimpse of the Gaobei Tulou Complex.
Chengqilou has been entitled “King of Tulou”. There is no exaggeration to say it as long as you have visited this Tulou by yourself. With an external diameter of 62.6 meters, Chengqilou has 4 floors in circularity and 400 rooms set on piles with 4 huge circular floors, surviving the vicissitudes for 300 years to protect the ancestral hall in the middle. The architectural beauty mixed with the fascination of antiques makes Chengqilou a paradise for photography lovers. Whether you are good at it, do not forget to find a nice angle to click your camera. Going forward, you will come to Qiaofulou and Shunyuanlou for further exploration and get inspired by the cultures of overseas Chinese when talking with their hosts.
Nanxi Tulou Valley Scenic Area
Highlights: Tulou Great Wall
Major Tulou: Zhenfulou, Yanxianglou, Huanjilou
There are 200+ Tulou buildings in different shapes standing closely or loosely in Nanxi, extending about 10 km to form a Tulou Valley, hence the name “Tulou Great Wall”. The three Tulou especially worthy of visiting them is Zhenfulou, Yanxianglou, and Huanjilou.
Zhenchenglou is famed as the “Tulou Princess” corresponding to the “Tulou Price” Zhengfulou. Except for the shared features of the combination of Chinese and Western architectural culture, Zhenchenglou is more elegant compared with the grand Zhengfulou. As the whole family of the host is living overseas, you will not be bothered by commercial activities.
At Yanxianglou, you will learn more details about the amazing Tulou building such as its water-proof functions. Huanjilou provides powerful proof of the advantages of the Tulou building because the break created by the M7 earthquake in 1918 had been amazingly closed gradually with the centripetal force of the circular Tulou and the drag force from those bridges in Tulou.
Chuxi Tulou Complex
Highlights: 72 Stairs of Jiqinglou, Hakka Folk Museum
Major Tulou: Jiqinglou, Shanqinglou
Chuxi Tulou is wild with its remoter location compared with other Tulou complexes. All the Tulou buildings here are named “Qing” and the 600-year-old Jiqinglou is the representative. Distinct from the public shared stairs of the other Tulou, Jiqinglou has individual stairs from the first floor to the fourth floor for each family but meanwhile, these are connected with each other in the internal building. Such an exceptional architectural miracle of 72-Stairs in Jiqinglou has been the only existing copy in all of Fujian Tulou. Besides, Jiqinglou is famed as the “Hakka Folk Museum” as you can see the different exhibitions (mainly photos) in each room to tell you the hidden stories of their hosts.
Built in 1979, Shanqinglou is a young Tulou receiving much more modern influence as you can see the air-conditioners on the external walls and the gallery on the first floor paved with beautiful granites.
Zhenfu Lou
Highlights: Combining modern western and traditional Chinese architectural styles
Located in Xipian Village, Hukeng Town, Yongding County, Zhenfu Lou is often called “Princess of Tulou” thanks to its harmonious blend of elegant architectural design and surrounding natural landscape. The building is nestld between the ridges and the valley, with the gentle Nanxi River flowing in front of it.
This round tulou building covers an area of over 4,000 square meters, featuring a unique Bagua (Eight Trigrams) layout. A top highlight of Zhenfu Lou is its combination of modern Western architectural styles and traditional Chinese garden artistry. The intricate carvings and luxurious appearance are also reasons of its popularity.
How to Get to Yongding Tulou
Usually, tourist visit Yongding Tulou Scenic Area after their Xiamen tours. Most tulou clusters are located in the mountainous area. Though there are frequent bullet trains from Xiamen to Longshan Town Station or Longyan Station, you’ll need to transfer to a taxi or take a local bus (about 1 hour drive) to finally reach the tulou area. Longyan Station to Yongding tulou is about 10 kilometers farther than from the Longshan Town Station.
Given the long distance between different tulou clusters and their mountainous location, traveling there by yourself seems a little challenging. And we highly recommended you to join a guided tour with a reliable travel agency. This way, all the logistic works, including the transportation, will be taken care of, and the local knowlegable guide will ensure you an immersive experience of Hakka tulou culture.
When is the Best Time to Visit Yongding Tulou?
Generally, March to May and September to November are the best times to visit Yongding tulou for comfortable temperatures and stunning seasonal sceneries. A spring trip to Yongding will reward you with blooming rapeseed flowers in the fields. The golden rice fields, and warm sunlight are bonus for an autumn trip there.
Winter is the low season when the tolou buildings welcome noticeably fewer tourists. If possible, try to avoid the summer months from June to August when the region is hot, rainy and flooded with large crowds of Chinese tourists and students.
Best Xiamen Tours including Yongding Tulou
- One Day Yongding Tulou Tour from Xiamen
- 5 Days Classic Xiamen and Fujian Tulou Tour
- 3 Days Xiamen Leisure Tour to Tulou and Gulangyu Island
