Located in Shuyang Town and Meilin Town of Nanjing County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, the Fujian Tulou (Nanjing) Scenic Area is a "World Cultural Heritage Site," a "National 5A-level Tourist Attraction," a "National Water Conservancy Scenic Area," and a "National Civilized Unit." The scenic area consists of three major sections: Tianluokeng Area, Yunshuiyao Area, and Hekeng Tulou Folk Culture Village. Covering an area of approximately 3.03 square kilometers, the scenic area features historical and uniquely styled tulou buildings. These tulou structures, primarily constructed with rammed earth combined with wooden frameworks and stone materials, showcase exquisite craftsmanship. There are over 3,000 strictly verified Fujian tulou buildings. Adhering to the concept of "harmony between humanity and nature," the tulou buildings blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, representing a precious heritage of global residential architecture and forming a harmonious environment where humans and nature coexist.
Historical and Cultural Background
Fujian tulou emerged during the Song and Yuan dynasties and reached maturity in the late Ming, Qing, and Republican periods. Nanjing County is known as the "Kingdom of Tulou" due to its long history of tulou construction. Spanning 423 years from the earliest Chaoshui Lou (1549–1553) to the latest Yongqing Lou (1967–1972), the construction of these buildings reflects the historical evolution of tulou development across different eras.
The construction of tulou was closely related to the social environment and family culture of the time. They were built by Hakka ancestors for future generations after migration, carrying profound family emotions and cultural heritage. For example, the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster was planned according to the "Five Halls of the Mingtang" layout from Kao Gong Ji Tu and constructed in the sequence of the "Five Elements" (metal, wood, water, fire, earth). The couplets on the columns and the ornate carvings inside the buildings interpret the philosophy of "loyalty and filial piety as the foundation, and farming and reading as the family tradition," embodying the Hakka people's emphasis on and inheritance of traditional culture.
Main Attractions
Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster
Located in Shangban Village, Shuyang Town, Nanjing County, on the hillside of Hutong at an altitude of 787.8 meters, construction of this cluster began in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties and was completed in the 1960s, spanning over 600 years. Comprising the square Buyun Lou and the circular Zhenchang Lou, Ruiyun Lou, Hechang Lou, and the elliptical Wenchang Lou, it is commonly referred to as the "Four Dishes and One Soup." It represents the most beautiful architectural combination and iconic structure among Fujian tulou. Designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level, one of the First Batch of Chinese Historic and Cultural Villages, and one of the First Batch of Chinese Landscape Villages, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008.
Yuchang Lou
Located in Shuyang Town, Nanjing County, and initially built in 1308, Yuchang Lou is the oldest existing tulou in Fujian. Jointly funded by five clans surnamed Liu, Luo, Zhang, Tang, and Fan, it has five stories, stands 18.2 meters tall, and contains 270 rooms. The building features five staircases, divided into five major sectors, and there are 22 wells in the ground-floor kitchens, making it the tulou with the most wells in Fujian. Its most distinctive feature is its leaning columns, with a maximum inclination of 15 degrees. Despite seven centuries of erosion and numerous earthquakes, the building remains stable, serving as a living specimen of ancient residential architecture.
Taxia Village
A National 5A-level Tourist Attraction, one of the First Batch of China's Best Landscape Villages, and a Provincial Historical and Cultural Village, Taxia Village is known as the "Water Village in the Mountains" and the "Zhouzhuang of Southern Fujian." With winding streams, swaying bamboo groves, and curling smoke from chimneys, the village is dotted with buildings such as apron-style tulou, hanging-corner buildings, Deyuan Hall, and stone dragon flagpoles. The Zhang Family Ancestral Hall, Deyuan Hall, is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level, with 24 stone dragon flagpoles standing in front of it.
Yunshuiyao Ancient Town
Formerly known as Changjiaoguan Yang Village, it has a history of more than 600 years. The ancient town features an ancient cobblestone path stretching over 10 kilometers. It is home to the World Heritage sites He Gui Lou and Huaiyuan Lou, as well as the tallest, largest, and most concentrated cluster of thousand-year-old banyan trees in Fujian Province, a century-old street, and a thousand-year-old ancient path. The town preserves 53 well-maintained tulou, constructed from the mid-Yuan Dynasty. These include square and circular tulou, as well as stilt houses, bamboo pole-style tulou, and mansion-style tulou, presenting a unique tulou landscape.
He Gui Lou
Located in Pushan Village, Meilin Town, Nanjing County, and built in 1732 during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, He Gui Lou is a corridor-style earth and wood structure, 21.5 meters tall with five stories and a wall height-to-thickness ratio of 13:1. Using the principle of suspension with pine piles and raft foundations, it is the tallest square tulou built on a 3,000-square-meter marshland, resembling an "Noah's Ark" on land.
Huaiyuan Lou
Located in Kanxia Village, Meilin Town, Nanjing County, and built between 1905 and 1909 during the late Qing Dynasty, Huaiyuan Lou is the most exquisitely crafted and best-preserved double-ring circular tulou among those nominated for the "World Cultural Heritage" status. Constructed using the mature "tilted wall construction" technique, it is a drum-shaped tulou representing the pinnacle of rammed-earth construction technology accumulated over thousands of years in Central China. The couplets on the columns and ornate carvings inside the building interpret the philosophy of "loyalty and filial piety as the foundation, and farming and reading as the family tradition."
Hekeng Tulou Folk Culture Village
Home to the most densely concentrated cluster of tulou in Fujian, the village features seven square tulou built during the Ming and Qing dynasties and seven circular tulou built in modern times, forming two celestial "Big Dipper" constellations on the ground. In July 2008, the Hekeng Tulou Cluster was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Local Cuisine
Steamed Pork with Preserved Vegetables
A classic Hakka dish, this features well-marbled pork belly that is first boiled, then fried, and finally steamed with pickled preserved vegetables. The pork skin is glossy, and the meat is tender and not greasy. The preserved vegetables absorb the pork fat, creating a fragrant and flavorful dish perfect for pairing with rice.
Tusun Jelly
Made from the dark-brown worms known as "tusun" that grow in shallow coastal mudflats, the broth is simmered and then chilled until it solidifies into a jelly-like consistency. With a Q-bouncy and smooth texture, it is typically served with soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, and other seasonings, offering a delicious and distinctive local snack.
Stuffed Pig Intestines with Glutinous Rice
Prepared by stuffing glutinous rice, mushrooms, pork, and other fillings into pig intestines, which are then steamed and sliced. The glutinous rice is soft and sticky, the intestines chewy, and the filling fragrant, creating a rich and satisfying texture.
Hakka Rice Wine
Brewed using traditional methods with high-quality glutinous rice as the main ingredient, this wine undergoes multiple processes including soaking, steaming, and fermentation. With a relatively low alcohol content, it has a sweet and mellow taste and is believed to have the effects of promoting blood circulation and nourishing qi and blood. It is a common local beverage.
Admission Tickets
The admission ticket price is 90 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "福建土楼南靖景区" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open from 08:30 to 17:00 throughout the year.
Itinerary Suggestions
Two-Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Tianluokeng Area. In the morning, visit the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster to appreciate the "Four Dishes and One Soup" landscape and learn about its historical and cultural background. In the afternoon, go to Yuchang Lou to experience the wonder of its "tilted" structure, and then proceed to Taxia Village to stroll along the streams and admire the ancient dwellings and the stone dragon flagpoles of Deyuan Hall.
Day 2: Yunshuiyao Area. In the morning, explore Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, walking along the ancient path to admire the thousand-year-old banyan trees, century-old street, and tulou. In the afternoon, visit He Gui Lou and Huaiyuan Lou to understand their architectural features and the stories behind them. If time permits, you can also go to Hekeng Tulou Folk Culture Village to see the "Big Dipper" tulou cluster.
Transportation
- External Transportation: First, arrive at Nanjing County and then reach the scenic area via the Nanjing County Tourist Expressway (Shanmei Highway). Alternatively, take the high-speed rail to Nanjing Station and then transfer to a tourist shuttle bus, regular bus, or taxi to the scenic area.
- Internal Transportation: Inside the scenic area, transportation mainly includes driving and walking. The roads are paved with cement, cobblestones, and there are also a small amount of gravel and dirt roads. Shuttle buses operate between attractions for the convenience of visitors.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: The iconic structure of Fujian tulou, the "Four Dishes and One Soup" features a unique shape and perfect architectural combination, representing an outstanding example of tulou architectural art.
- Yuchang Lou: The oldest existing tulou, with its tilted columns standing firm for centuries, exuding a mysterious aura and featuring a distinctive inner-courtyard structure.
- Yunshuiyao Ancient Town: With a long history, the ancient path, thousand-year-old banyan trees, and magical tulou create a poetic atmosphere, allowing visitors to experience a rich historical and cultural ambiance.
Travel Tips
- Given the large area of the scenic area, plan your itinerary in advance and allocate your time reasonably to avoid a rushed visit.
- As there are many cobblestone paths in the scenic area, it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes or casual footwear and pay attention to safety while walking.
- Mosquitoes are prevalent, so bring mosquito repellent to prevent bites.
- Climbing to the upper floors of some tulou may incur an additional fee (approximately 10 yuan), which you can choose based on your interests.
- When sampling local cuisine, opt for restaurants frequented by locals to enjoy authentic flavors at reasonable prices.
Precautions
- Tulou are scattered in the mountainous areas of southern Fujian. Private cars, minivans and motor taxis are the main means of transportation, and the prices are relatively high. Travelers can share a chartered car with companions to save costs and time.
- Check the weather forecast before your trip and prepare rain gear. In summer, take sun protection measures such as wearing sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Respect local customs and cultural traditions. Avoid loud noises or uncivil behavior inside the tulou.
- When visiting the tulou, refrain from touching or damaging cultural relics and keep the premises clean.