Destination · Fujian
Tulou Villages
Giant round earth buildings hidden in the mountains — a UNESCO World Heritage way of life.
The destination
Fortress homes where whole clans lived under one round roof
In the valleys of Nanjing and Yongding, the Hakka people built the tulou — massive rammed-earth fortresses, some so large they housed an entire clan. Round or square, with thick earthen walls and a single gate, they were homes, granaries and defence systems at once.
Today these villages are a UNESCO World Heritage site and a place to slow down completely: watch farmers in the terraces, hear the creak of wooden stairs, and sleep inside a converted tulou guesthouse with lanterns lit above the courtyard.
Highlights
What makes it worth the trip
- Tianluokeng cluster — The iconic “Four Dishes, One Soup”: five buildings on one hillside.
- Yunshuiyao village — Ancient banyan trees, stone bridges and a riverside old town made for strolling.
- Huaiyuan & Hegui towers — The round and square masterpieces of the Nanjing valley.
- Sleep in a tulou — Overnight in a restored guesthouse and wake to rooster calls and mist.
Practical info
Plan your visit
Best time
Year-round. The rice terraces are green from May to August; autumn brings harvest gold.
How long
One to two nights. Two nights lets you visit both Nanjing and Yongding at a relaxed pace.
Getting there
About 2 hours by car from Xiamen. A private vehicle with a driver is the comfortable option.
Good to know
Tulou stairs are steep and walls are earthen — pack light and wear flat shoes.
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