Located in Yongding District, Longyan City, Fujian Province, the Fujian Tulou (Yongding) Scenic Area is a World Cultural Heritage Site and a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction. Covering a total area of approximately 122.8 square kilometers, with a core tourist area of about 8.3 square kilometers, the scenic area consists of several clusters, including Gaobei Tulou Cluster, Hongkeng Tulou Cluster, Chuxi Tulou Cluster, Nanxi Tulou Cluster, and Zhongchuan Ancient Village. The area features a large number of uniquely shaped tulou buildings. There are more than 23,000 existing tulou, including over 360 circular ones and more than 4,000 square ones, making it the most concentrated tulou architectural complex in the world. Constructed mainly with rammed earth, combined with wooden structures and stone materials, the tulou are built alongside mountains and rivers, reflecting the Hakka tradition of living in large family units and the philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature.
Historical and Cultural Background
The construction history of Yongding Tulou can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, forming a scale during the Song and Yuan dynasties, and reaching its peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties. According to research, the earliest tulou was built in 769 AD. The oldest existing tulou, Fuxin Lou, was constructed during the Dali period of the Tang Dynasty (766-779 AD). The rise of tulou was closely related to the southward migration of the Hakka people. To defend against external enemies and wild animals, the Hakka people built these unique buildings that combined defense and living functions in family units.
Yongding Tulou contains rich cultural connotations. The couplets, carvings, and paintings inside the buildings often reflect the values of loyalty, filial piety, propriety, and righteousness, as well as the tradition of emphasizing farming and education. For example, the couplet "Establish order and discipline, cultivate virtue and talent" in Zhencheng Lou reflects the Hakka people's emphasis on ethical morals and talent cultivation. In 2008, Yongding Tulou was included in the World Cultural Heritage List as an important part of "Fujian Tulou," becoming a model of traditional Chinese residential architecture.
Main Attractions
Gaobei Tulou Cluster
Located in Gaotou Township, Yongding District, it is one of the most representative tulou clusters in Yongding, including Chengqi Lou, Wuyun Lou, and Shize Lou. Chengqi Lou was built in 1709 during the 48th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty. With a diameter of 73 meters, a four-ring concentric structure, and covering an area of 5,376 square meters, it can accommodate more than 800 people at most. Known as the "King of Tulou," its scale and structure are extremely rare among tulou buildings.
Hongkeng Tulou Cluster
Located in Hukeng Town, it is a core scenic area that tourists must visit, featuring famous tulou such as Zhencheng Lou, Kuiju Lou, and Fuyu Lou. Zhencheng Lou was built in 1912, laid out according to the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) diagram, divided into inner and outer rings. The outer ring has four stories, and the inner ring has two stories, covering an area of about 5,000 square meters. Known as the "Prince of Tulou" for its exquisite architecture. Kuiju Lou was built in 1834 during the 14th year of Emperor Daoguang's reign in the Qing Dynasty and is a representative of palace-style tulou, with a majestic and solemn architectural style.
Chuxi Tulou Cluster
Located in Chuxi Village, Xiayang Town, it consists of five circular tulou and 31 square ones, built along the stream in a scattered and orderly manner. Among them, Jiqing Lou was built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1403-1424) and is one of the oldest existing circular tulou in Yongding. There are 72 staircases inside the building, with a unique structure. It was listed as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit in 2001.
Nanxi Tulou Cluster
Located in the Nanxi River Basin, Hukeng Town, it is known as the "Tulou Great Wall," stretching for more than 10 kilometers and distributing over 130 tulou. Among them, Yanxiang Lou was built in 1842 during the 22nd year of Emperor Daoguang's reign in the Qing Dynasty. It is a circular tulou with four stories, covering an area of about 1,000 square meters. The building preserves a large number of wood carvings, stone carvings, and other artworks from the Qing Dynasty.
Zhongchuan Ancient Village
Located in Xiayang Town, it is a famous hometown of overseas Chinese. The village has buildings such as Tiger and Leopard Villa and the Hu Wenhu Memorial Hall. Tiger and Leopard Villa was built in 1946 and is the former residence of the patriotic overseas Chinese Hu Wenhu, integrating Chinese and Western architectural styles, covering an area of about 3,000 square meters. It is now a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.
Local Cuisine
Yongding Beef Balls
Made from fresh yellow beef and crafted by hand-pounding, these beef balls offer a chewy, springy texture and are served in a flavorful, savory broth. The traditional method involves pounding the beef for over an hour to break down the muscle fibers, ensuring the balls remain intact when cooked. A beloved local specialty, they're a must-try when visiting Yongding.
Hakka Stuffed Tofu
Hollowed tofu filled with minced pork, mushrooms, dried shrimps, etc., fried until golden and then stewed. The tofu is tender, and the filling is fragrant. It is a must-have dish for the Hakka people during festivals, reflecting the dietary wisdom of "supplementing meat with vegetables."
Steamed Pork with Preserved Vegetables
Made with three-layered pork belly, paired with preserved vegetables, a specialty of Yongding. The pork belly is fatty but not greasy, and the preserved vegetables absorb the fat, resulting in a rich aroma and a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. It is often served with rice and is a classic meat dish in Hakka cuisine.
Taro Dumplings
Made with taro and tapioca flour as the wrapper, filled with minced pork, dried bamboo shoots, mushrooms, etc., and steamed until translucent. With a soft and glutinous texture and rich filling, it has the effect of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach. It is a common snack in Yongding during autumn and winter.
Hakka Rice Wine
Brewed from glutinous rice, with an alcohol content of about 15-20 degrees, golden in color and sweet in taste. The traditional process requires fermentation for more than 30 days, which has the effect of promoting blood circulation. It is often used as a drink at Hakka banquets.
Admission Tickets
Tickets start from 50 yuan.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "福建土楼永定景区" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online. There are various ticket types, so please choose according to your needs.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open from 08:00 to 18:00 throughout the year. During summer (June to August), it extends to 18:30, and during winter (December to February), it closes at 17:30. Some tulou may be temporarily closed for maintenance, so please check the scenic area announcements for details.
Itinerary Suggestions
One-Day Itinerary: Hongkeng Tulou Cluster (visit Zhencheng Lou and Fuyu Lou in the morning) → Gaobei Tulou Cluster (explore Chengqi Lou and Wuyun Lou in the afternoon). This itinerary is suitable for visitors with limited time, focusing on experiencing the most representative tulou.
Two-Day Itinerary: Day 1: Hongkeng Tulou Cluster → Nanxi Tulou Cluster (admire the "Tulou Great Wall" landscape); Day 2: Gaobei Tulou Cluster → Chuxi Tulou Cluster (visit ancient buildings such as Jiqing Lou) to deeply experience the characteristics of different tulou clusters.
Three-Day Itinerary: Day 1: Hongkeng Tulou Cluster → Zhongchuan Ancient Village (experience the overseas Chinese culture); Day 2: Gaobei Tulou Cluster → Nanxi Tulou Cluster; Day 3: Chuxi Tulou Cluster → Yongding Tulou Museum (learn about the history of tulou). This itinerary is suitable for visitors who want to explore the scenic area comprehensively.
Transportation
- External Transportation:
- By Air: Fly to Longyan Guanzhaishan Airport, transfer to the airport shuttle bus to Yongding Urban Area, and then take the scenic area shuttle bus. The whole journey takes about 2 hours.
- By Train: There are direct bullet trains from Longyan Station to Yongding. The journey takes about 40 minutes. After arriving at Yongding Station, take the tulou shuttle bus at Yongding Bus Station, which takes about 1.5 hours to reach Hongkeng Scenic Area.
- By Bus: There are long-distance buses from Fuzhou, Xiamen, Guangzhou, and other places directly to Yongding Bus Station. Then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus. Buses from Yongding to Hongkeng depart every 30 minutes.
- By Self-Driving: Drive from Longyan Urban Area along Xiarong Expressway and exit at Yongding Tulou. The journey takes about 1.5 hours. There are parking lots in each scenic area cluster, charging 10-20 yuan per day.
- Internal Transportation:
- Scenic Area Shuttle Bus: There are shuttle buses connecting core clusters such as Hongkeng, Gaobei, and Chuxi. The ticket price is 20-30 yuan per person, and you can get a discounted ticket with your admission ticket.
- Chartered Car: There are private minivans providing chartered services locally. The full-day cost is about 200-300 yuan, suitable for groups of travelers, allowing flexible route arrangements.
- Walking: Some tulou clusters are suitable for walking tours. For example, the tulou in Hongkeng Scenic Area are relatively close to each other, and it takes about 1-2 hours to explore on foot.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Chengqi Lou: Known as the "King of Tulou," with a diameter of 73 meters, a four-ring structure, and can accommodate up to 800 people. It has a grand architectural scale and is suitable for taking panoramic photos.
- Zhencheng Lou: Known as the "Prince of Tulou," laid out according to the Bagua diagram, with exquisite internal decorations and preserving a large number of couplets and carvings. It is a model of tulou architectural art.
- Jiqing Lou: The core building of Chuxi Tulou Cluster, with 72 staircases that are not interconnected, having a unique structure. It is an important example for studying tulou architecture.
- Nanxi Tulou Cluster: More than 130 tulou are distributed along the stream, forming the "Tulou Great Wall" landscape. It is suitable for hiking tours to appreciate the harmonious beauty of mountains, rivers, and tulou.
Travel Tips
- Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) have pleasant climates and are the best seasons to visit. Pay attention to sun protection in summer and bring warm clothing in winter.
- The interiors of tulou are mostly wooden structures with steep stairs. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes, and elderly people and children should be accompanied by family members.
- Some tulou allow visitors to climb to the upper floors for an additional fee of 10-20 yuan. You can negotiate with local residents to experience the perspective of overlooking the tulou.
- Restaurants in the scenic area mainly serve Hakka cuisine. It is recommended to try specialties such as beef balls and stuffed tofu, with an average per capita consumption of about 50-80 yuan.
- When buying tulou specialties such as preserved vegetables and rice wine, it is recommended to go to regular stores and avoid random purchases from roadside stalls.
Precautions
- Tulou are wooden structures, and smoking is prohibited in the scenic area to avoid fires.
- Respect local customs. Avoid loud noises and do not touch cultural relics or residents' daily necessities when entering the tulou.
- The weather in mountainous areas is changeable. It is recommended to carry rain gear, and take precautions against mosquito bites in summer.
- Self-driving tourists should pay attention to the many sharp turns on mountain roads and control their speed. Some sections have insufficient lighting at night, so it is recommended to avoid driving late at night.
- The joint ticket for the scenic area is valid for 2 days, and single-attraction tickets are valid for the same day. Please keep your tickets properly after purchase.