The Fujian Tulou are ancient communal residences built by the Hakka people in the mountains of Fujian Province, in southeastern China. They are also known as the Fujian Earth Buildings, and several of them are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many are found in Yongding County, within Longyan City.
What you will see
The most distinctive feature of these buildings is their form. Many are circular earthen structures, with walls of packed earth rising several storeys around a shared open courtyard. Rather than housing a single family, they were designed as communal homes, where many households lived together within one enclosed structure. Their thick walls and compact, closed shape give them a sense of quiet solidity that is striking to see in person.
Why it is worth a visit
The Fujian Tulou date back to the 12th century, so a visit offers a direct encounter with a long-standing way of building and living. For many travellers, the appeal lies in seeing an architectural tradition that is unlike most others, and in the chance to read the buildings as a record of the community that made them.
Planning your trip
- Location: Yongding County, Longyan City, Fujian Province, China.
- Contact: +86-597-5536333.
- Setting: The buildings sit in a rural, hilly landscape, so a visit suits those who enjoy countryside scenery as well as architecture.
- Getting around: Allow time to move between the sites, as they are spread across the county rather than gathered in one place.
For visitors who want to explore further, Longyan City is the natural base, and the surrounding Fujian countryside offers more of the region's traditional village life.