The Chuxi tulou cluster is the most primitive and most Hakka-characteristic tulou clusters in Yongding District. 600 years ago, the ancestors of the Xu clan migrated to the mountains to build tulou in order to escape war and bandits. The ancient Chinese believed that the sky was round and the earth was square, so the Chuxi tulou cluster can be divided into two shapes: round and square.
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- Chuxi Tulou Cluster Facts
- Architecture Features of Chuxi Tulou Cluster
- What to See
- How to Get to Chuxi Tulou Cluster
- Useful Travel Tips for Visiting Chuxi Tulou
- Attractions Nearby Chuxi Tulou Cluster
- Explore Chuxi Tulou with China Xian Tour
Chuxi Tulou Cluster Facts
Location: Chuxi village, Xianyang town, Yongding County, Fujian
Opening Time: Open from 8:00-17:30 from May 1 till October 5, and visitors are not allowed to enter at 17:00; Open from 8:30-17:30 from October 6 to April 30, with visitors access to Chuxi Tulou Cluster closed at 17:00.
Ticket Price: 65 yuan/person
Time Needed: 3-4 hours
Architecture Features of Chuxi Tulou Cluster
The Chuxi tulou cluster is nestled against the mountains. The unique architectural style harmoniously blends with the surrounding natural environment, creating a tranquil pastoral scenery. Round tulou were usually built on uneven or depressed terrain, while square tulou were constructed on spacious and flat land.
From the outside, the tulou appear closed and fortress-like, conveying a strong defensive character. Because at the beginning of the construction, there were often wild animals and thieves issues. In the event of invasion by foreign enemies and attacks by thieves, the closed Fujian tulou also became a strong fortress, protecting every household.
The interior spatial design is exquisite, reflecting the high aesthetic level of ancient Chinese craftsmen. The tulou not only stored a large amount of food and livestock but also had wells for drinking water.
In addition, the couplets and family inscriptions in tulou embody the values and educational ideas of the Hakka people, which is an important part of Hakka culture.
Recommended Fujian Tulou Tours
- One Day Nanjing Tianluokeng Tulou Tour from Xiamen
- 6 Days Fujian Tulou and Xiapu Mudflat Tour
- 2 Days Fujian Tulou Exploration Tour
What to See
There is a Chinese character “Qing (庆)” in the name of each building in the Chuxi tulou cluster, representing the good wishes of prosperity and good luck. The following four buildings have been known as the “Three Dishes and One Soup” of Chuxi Tulou, with Jiqinglou, Gengqinglou and Yuqinglou as the ”three dishes” and Shengqinglou as the “soup”.
Jiqinglou
Jiqing building, the oldest Fujian tulou in the world, was built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and has a history of more than 600 years.
The rooms, stairs and partitions in the Jiqing building are all made of Chinese fir. The whole tulou does not use a nail, and the connection between the woods is all mortise-and-tenon joints. Such a superb building level reflects the wisdom and exquisite skills of the ancient Chinese working people.
In addition, the architectural structure of the Jiqing building is also quite special. The 72 stairs divided this tulou into 72 separate units, and in its heyday, 600 to 700 people lived in the building. Now that the entire building’s residents have moved out, tourists can enter the Jiqing building for free to visit and take photos.
Shengqinglou
Shengqinglou has a very unique design. It is composed of two square buildings. The outer building has four floors and one entrance, and the inner building has two floors with inner corridors. In the center of the inner courtyard is an ancestral hall. The building is decorated with wood carvings and colored paintings of flowers and plants.
Gengqinglou
Gengqinglou is 3-storey high and covers an area of 660 sq m. It was built in 1849 and is the last one to be constructed among the four buildings. The structure of its wall is very special. Only three main walls made of rammed earth are retained, while the rest are constructed with adobe bricks. Its ancestral hall is also in the center and is constructed as a single-storey hall with a brick-wood structure.
Yuqinglou
Yuqinglou stands out from the tulou complex, because its outer wall is painted with white lime. It is easy to distinguish it at a glance. It is a double-ring inner-corridor structure, while the inner ring is only a semi-ring. This building has been converted into Yuqinglou Inn and there are still local people living there, so tourists can stay overnight to experience the traditional local life in tulou. When the lanterns are illuminated at night, the scene is also very distinctive and charming.
How to Get to Chuxi Tulou Cluster
By High-speed train: You can take the high-speed train from Xiamen or Fuzhou to Longyan Station, and then take a taxi to Longyan Bus Station. Then you can take a bus to Xiayang Bus Station, the nearest bus station from Chuxi tulou cluster scenic spot. After arriving at Xianyang Bus station, you can choose to go to the Chuxi tulou cluster by motorcycle. If you book accommodation in the scenic spot, it will be much easier for you to contact the hotel staff in advance to help you charter a car to your destination.
By bus: The recommended route is to take the bus from Longyan Bus Station to Xiayang Bus Station to the scenic spot. After arriving at Xianyang Bus station, you can take the sightseeing bus to Chuxi tulou cluster, which costs 5 yuan/person one way.
Self-driving/rental: You can park in the Visitor Center Parking Lot before 16:30 for 10 yuan. After 16:30, you can drive directly into the parking lot in the Chuxi tulou cluster scenic spot, free of charge.
Useful Travel Tips for Visiting Chuxi Tulou
- It is better to visit there before 11:00 to avoid crowds.
- The sightseeing bus is quite few in Chuxi Tulou, even in off-peak hours, you may need to wait for it. So if you are physically able, it is advised to walk from the tourist center to the village entrance, which is about 1km long.
- The recommended visiting route without a detour is Viewing Platform – Jiqinglou – Shengqinglou – Yuqinglou – Gengqinglou.
- Standing at the viewing platform, you can overlook the four tulou buildings and the terraced fields. To capture an eye-catching picture, you can stand beside the railing and ask your friend to take photos on the stairs.
- When entering the Jiqinglou, your ticket will be checked again. Tourists can board the 4thfloor of Jiqinglou for free and have a bird’s-eye view of the circular courtyard.
- Do not enter the private house or board the building without permission, except for Jiqinglou and keep quiet during the visit.
- It is recommended to wear anti-slip sports shoes because thereare many steps and uphill sections. Besides, stone steps and cobblestone paths are slippery on rainy days.
- Taro buns, stuffed tofu, free-range chicken, Yongding beef balls, leichatea, and braised pork with dried bamboo shoots are all characteristic local cuisine and worth tasting. Most dishes are mildly seasoned.
Attractions Nearby Chuxi Tulou Cluster
Yongfu Cherry Blossom Garden: Located in Yongfu Town, it is known as the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spot in China. Every March and April, it attracts people from all over the world to enjoy the spring scenery and gorgeous cherry blossoms.
Gaobei Tulou Cluster: It is one of the world’s cultural heritage, another megastar of the Fujian tulou complex. Here you can visit the King of tulou Chengqi building and other tulou of different shapes.
Explore Chuxi Tulou with China Xian Tour
Compared with other tulou clusters, Chuxi Tulou offers a more primitive environment and allows tourists to experience the authentic local life. If you are puzzled about how to transfer between attractions or how to plan a reasonable trip, China Xian Tour can give you some advice and tailor a trip for you based on your needs. Also, we will arrange a driver to escort you, so you can travel between the scenic spots seamlessly. Our local guide will also introduce the history and stories about the building and show you the details of the architectural design. You will enjoy a carefree and meaningful tulou tour with us. So do not hesitate to contact us.
