Frequently Asked Questions about Xiamen Tulou Tours

Fujian Tulou refers to a unique type of traditional earthen building, most famously found in the rural areas of Fujian province in southeastern China. These large, circular or square structures were built by the Hakka people and are made from earth, wood, and other natural materials. They were designed to house entire communities, providing both living and defensive spaces. The Tulou are primarily located in the Yongding and Nanjing regions of Fujian, with the most famous clusters found in the area around Zhangzhou and Longyan. These buildings are now UNESCO World Heritage sites, known for their remarkable architectural style and cultural significance.

Tulou are famous because of their unusual architecture and what it says about the Hakka people who built them. They are large fortified earthen buildings that housed whole clans under one roof, part home and part fortress. The walls are rammed earth mixed with timber, and the round or square layouts put homes around a shared courtyard, which helped defence and daily communal life. They use local materials and sit easily into the valley landscape. This combination earned Fujian tulou UNESCO World Heritage status, and you can walk inside several of them to see how a whole lineage once lived together.

Yes, many Fujian Tulou are still inhabited today, with local families living in them just as their ancestors did. While some Tulou have been preserved for tourism or converted into cultural heritage sites, others remain active homes for the Hakka people. These living communities continue to maintain the traditional way of life, with residents using the Tulou's communal spaces for family activities and celebrations. The combination of history, architecture, and ongoing cultural practices makes visiting a Tulou a unique way to experience local life in Fujian.

A single Fujian Tulou can house anywhere from 100 to 800 people, depending on its size. The largest Tulou can accommodate several hundred families, with each floor serving different purposes—living spaces, communal areas, and storage. The structure is typically organized around a central courtyard, with rooms arranged in a circular or square layout. This design allows for efficient use of space and fosters a strong sense of community. The Tulou’s large capacity and multi-functional design made it an ideal place for extended families to live together for generations.

Fujian Tulou are primarily built using a mix of natural materials, most notably earth, wood, and bamboo. The walls are made of rammed earth, which provides excellent insulation and protection, especially in the region's humid climate. The roofs are often made of wooden beams and tiles, with the central structure typically featuring a circular or square layout. The floors are made from wood or stone, and bamboo is used for reinforcement. This combination of materials not only makes the Tulou durable and sustainable but also allows them to blend harmoniously with the surrounding natural environment.

The Hakka people are a group of Han Chinese who originally migrated from northern China to the southern provinces, including Fujian, over several centuries. Known for their distinct language, culture, and customs, the Hakka settled in mountainous areas and developed unique architectural styles to adapt to their environment. The Fujian Tulou were built by the Hakka people, who constructed these large, fortified earthen buildings as a way to protect their communities from bandits and invaders while also fostering close-knit family ties. The Tulou reflect the Hakka’s practical approach to living and their deep sense of communal identity.

The 46 Fujian Tulou buildings listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites are a collection of traditional earthen buildings located primarily in the Yongding and Nanjing regions of Fujian Province. These Tulou structures are recognized for their unique architectural style, which blends functionality, sustainability, and communal living. The 46 Tulou include various types, circular, square, and rectangular designs, each serving as fortified residences for Hakka communities. Notable examples among these World Heritage sites include the Chuxi Tulou Cluster, the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, and the Hongkeng Tulou Cluster. These buildings, which have stood for centuries, are celebrated for their ingenuity in construction and their historical and cultural significance to the Hakka people.

To get to Fujian Tulou, the most common approach is to fly into Fuzhou or Xiamen, two major cities in Fujian Province, and then take a bus or private car to the Tulou clusters. From Fuzhou, it's about a 3 to 4-hour drive to the Yongding Tulou area, while from Xiamen, it’s a 2 to 3-hour drive to the Nanjing and Yongding Tulou clusters. Alternatively, you can take a train to the nearest train stations in Longyan or Zhangzhou, followed by a local bus or taxi to the Tulou. Many local tour agencies also offer guided tours that include transportation to and from the sites for added convenience.

There are over 3,000 Fujian Tulou spread across the province, with the majority concentrated in the Yongding and Nanjing areas. These traditional earthen buildings come in various shapes, such as circular, square, and rectangular, and were primarily built by the Hakka people for communal living and defense. While only 46 of these Tulou are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the others continue to be important cultural and architectural landmarks. The Tulou are scattered across rural regions, each telling a unique story of the local Hakka heritage.

The best months for Fujian tulou are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is mild and dry enough for walking between the villages and good for photos. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid, and winter (December to February) turns cold and damp, so those seasons are less comfortable outdoors. Spring and autumn also draw fewer visitors than the summer school holidays, so the villages feel quieter.

Hakka cuisine is known for its hearty and flavorful dishes, often featuring preserved ingredients and simple, rustic preparations. Some popular Hakka dishes you should try include Hakka-style stuffed tofu, where tofu is filled with ground pork and herbs, and Hakka salt-baked chicken, a tender chicken roasted with a fragrant mix of salt and spices. Another classic is Hakka rice dumplings, which are steamed and filled with savory fillings like pork, mushrooms, and salted egg. You can also enjoy Hakka-style braised pork with bamboo shoots, which highlights the savory, umami-rich flavors that are central to the cuisine. These dishes provide a great way to experience the deep-rooted traditions and flavors of the Hakka people.