Join us on a 3-day tour to explore the marvel of Fujian Tulou, the UNESCO-listed earthen wonders also called as the āOriental CastlesāĀ and āArchitectural Treasures of the Worldā. This tailored tour from Xiamen will lead you to unveil the secrets of Hakka culture, guiding you through Nanjing and Yongdingās most iconic tulou clusters.
The itinerary also allows you to wander maze-like corridors of 700-year-old slanted buildings, sleep in a traditional Hakka village, and walk around in tulou that inspired countless myths and films. From the UFO-like Tianluokeng Tulou Complex to the palatial Zhencheng Building (the āTulou Princeā), each day blends history, architecture, and breathtaking landscapes.
Travel destinations: Nanjing County, Yongding County, Xiamen
Suitable for: Culture enthusiasts, history buffs, architecture lovers
Tour type: Private
Welcome to our 3-day Tulou tour! After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your Xian downtown hotel and drive for 2 hours to Nanjing County. Today, you will mainly visit theĀ Tianluokeng Tulou Complex.
Tianloukeng wins its loud fame in the unparalleled overviews of the Tulou group: one Tulou sits in the middle, and the other four Tulou cluster together around it. Maybe you have seen the scene many times on those classic publicity photos of Fujian Tulou, but it's still amazing when you stand on the Upper Viewing Platform to behold the UFO-like Tulou buildings.
That's not a joke. These tulou buildings had been thought of as nuclear bases by the CIA. From the Lower Viewing Platform, you can catch the sights of Tulou from a closer look at Tulou.
Yuchang Building (č£ęę„¼) is the most famous Tulou in Tianluokeng. You might think it is too common with nothing special when seeing Yuchanglou from outside, but you will realize that you were wrong once you step into the gate: the columns in the corridors are slanted! How could such a huge building be supported by lean columns! Yuchang Building has suffered from rain, wind, and earthquakes in the past 700 years, but still survived well.
Taxia Village depicts a picturesque countryside view where visitors can get real relief from the busy life and work. A stream meanders out from the valley, the beautiful bridges are over it every other mile, ducks are chasing one after another in the waterā¦ the 42 Tulou buildings stand in such a peaceful environment to witness how their people make life and develop for generations. Deyuan Hall (Zhang's Family Temple) is an outstanding view in Taxia Village. Through the grand building and beautiful decorations inside, you can read the everlasting glory of this large family.
After that, we drive 30 minutes to Yunshuiyao Scenic Area. Here, the Huaiyuan Building (ęčæę„¼), built in 1905-1909, is a rare double-ring tulou in Yunshuiyu. The outer ring serves as a residence, while the inner "Si Shi Room" functions as a school and ceremonial space. It inspired the animation "Big Fish & Begonia" and offers stunning mountain views. After the visit, drive back to the local hotel in Taxia Village for an overnight.
Today, we will drive to Yongding and visit the Hongkeng Tulou Complex.
Hongkeng Tulou Complex, with the largest scale and the most advantaged development, should be the first option without a doubt if you want to explore Tulou buildings in one stop.
Walking forward for 1km from the entrance gate, you will get to the core of Hongkeng Tulou: Zhencheng Building (ęÆęę„¼), which is famed as "Tulou Prince" due to the combined features of Western and Chinese architectural cultures. The mini circular Tulou, Rusheng Building (å¦åę„¼) by the stream, with a diameter of only 17.4 meters, contrasts sharply with the gigantic Zhengcheng Building. The Family Temple of Lin and Tianhou Palace, standing to the left and right of Zhengcheng Building, are also worthy of a leisurely visit.
Please never miss the Fuyu Building (ē¦č£ę„¼). It is the first of the square tulou in Hongkeng Tulou Cluster. The whole building is axisymmetric and magnificent. At its peak, there were 27 households with more than 200 people.
The title of "Potala Palace" of Kuiju Building (å„čę„¼) might be exaggerated, but the palatial structures with layer upon layer of eaves indeed make Kuijulou against the hills grander and more splendid.
After the tour finished, transfer back to your hotel.
Free and easy on your own in the morning. Then we will drive for about 2.5 hours back to Xiamen city. If you need airport drop-off service, we can arrange it for you (at an additional cost).
The priceĀ varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
2 Days Ā· 1 Night
Explore Fujian's UNESCO-listed Tulou earthen buildings across Nanjing and Yongding, including Hongkeng Tulou Complex, Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, and Yunshuiyao Scenic Area with hidden Hakka culture.
A 2-day Xiamen tour blending South Putuo Temple and Hulishan Fortress with the pedestrian paradise of Gulangyu Island and the remarkable Yongding Tulou Hakka earth buildings.
3 Days Ā· 2 Nights
A 3-day Xiamen leisure tour visiting the car-free Gulangyu Island with its colonial architecture and exploring the UNESCO-listed Fujian Tulou earthen buildings in nearby Yongding County.
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