Written by Veronica |
Yunshuiyao scenic areaĀ is widely known by everyone because of the movie “The Knot Town”. It is one of the most popular tourist places in your Fujian tours, and also a famous scenic spot of the world cultural heritage “Fujian Tulou”. Yunshuiyao scenic area is divided into three major attractions, along the river and the Millennium Ancient Road, in turn, is Huaiyuan Building, Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, and the Hegui Building.
After entering the scenic area, the most striking thing is the Hakka Tulou Clusters at the foot of the mountain, beside the stream bank and on the field. For example, the Hegui Building built on the swamp, is known as the “first wonder in the world”, and the exquisite craft and the best protected Huaiyuan Building.
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- Yunshuiyao Scenic Area Facts
- What to See in Yunshuiyao Scenic Area
- Best Time to Visit Yunshuiyao
- How to Get to Yunshuiyao Ancient Town
- Attractions nearby Yunshuiyao Ancient Town
- FAQs about Yunshuiyao
- Plan Your Fujian Tulou Tour with China Xian Tour
Yunshuiyao Scenic Area Facts
Location: Pushan Village, Nanjing County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province
Opening Time: All year round
Ticket Price: 90 yuan per person
Time Needed: 2-3 hours
What to See in Yunshuiyao Scenic Area
1. Huaiyuan Building
At present, there are 53 well-preserved fujian tulou in Yunshuiyu scenic area, among which the Huaiyuan Building, built in 1905-1909, is a rare double-ring tulou. The large outer ring is the residence, and the small inner ring is the school, which is named “Si Shi Room”. Ancestor worship or important events are held in this small ring.
Huaiyuan Building is not only a masterpiece of traditional Chinese residential architecture art, but also the architectural prototype in the hit animation movie “Big Fish and Begonia”. Surrounded by green mountains, you can admireĀ a gorgeousĀ pastoral landscapeĀ as far as the eye can see. Walking along the thousand-year-old road, you will see the branches of the ancient banyan trees as a huge umbrella covering a side of heaven and earth.
2. Yunshuiyao Ancient Town
Yunshuiyao Ancient Town is an ancient village with a long history, formerly known as Changjiao. The film “The Know Town” was shot here and became so famous that the local government later renamed it “Yunshuiyao Ancient Town”. ThisĀ town has a breathtaking group of millennia-old banyan treesĀ withĀ a wide river stream flowingĀ down from the middle of the village, and there are 13 millennia-old banyan trees on the bank. The largest tree has a crown covering an area of 1,933 square meters, and its branches are more than 30 meters long, requiring more than 10 people to hold them together.
Under the banyan tree is a thousand years old road paved with pebbles, large and small pebbles have been worn very smoothlyĀ by tourists. The ancient road is more than 10 kilometers long, according to research, it is the only way from Longyan City to Zhangzhou City, and is now called “YunshuiyaoĀ Ancient Road”. There is a row of two-story old brick and wood structure houses beside the ancient road, which is the old market of Yunshuiyao AncientĀ Town with hundreds of years of history. It is a great place for sightseeing, sketching, and photography.
3. Hegui Building
In addition to the Huaiyuan Building, the most spectacular building in Yunshuiyao Scenic area is the Hegui Building. With the successful application of Fujian Tulou as a World Heritage site in 2003, Hegui Building was also included in the World Heritage List. It is known as the highest tulou with a history of 200 years.
Hegui BuildingĀ is a square building, built in the Yongzheng decade of the Qing DynastyĀ (1644-1911), covering an area of 1547 square meters. Hegui means to persuade people to carry forward the Chinese traditional virtue of valuing peace.
It is said that the people of the Jian clan who built the building did not realize that the site was a swamp until the first floor was built and the whole floor slowly sank like a sunken ship. But they didn’t want to give up. Instead, they decided to drive stakes into the sunken walls and start ramming them, eventually building a five-story square tulou. The amazing thing is that in the last 200 years, this place has experienced several earthquakes, but it has remained stable.
4. Ancient Banyan Tree Cluster
Another thing that you must see in the town is itsĀ famous cluster of ancient banyan trees. They stand alongĀ the riverbankĀ elegantly and some of them are already hundreds or even over a thousand years old. The largest banyan boasts a canopy covering about 1,933āÆmĀ², with branches stretching over 30āÆmeters, and a trunk so wide that more than ten adults are needed to encircle it. Under their shade flows a clear stream beside a cobblestone path ā centuries worn pebbles form the old road connecting past and present, offering a tranquil, poetic villagescape.
5. Riverside Waterwheel ā A Symbol of the Village
By the stream in Yunshuiyao stands a large wooden waterwheel, which over time has become a symbolic landmark of the ancient town. This waterwheel quietly turns along with the gentle flow of water, creating a scene full of rustic charm ā under banyan tree shade with historic earthen buildings nearby, the setting evokes a slow paced, old world rural life. Itās also a favored spot for photos and memories ā many visitors enjoy the simple peace of sitting by the stream, watching the wheel turn, and feeling immersed in the blend of natural beauty and heritage.
Best Time to Visit Yunshuiyao
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November)Ā are the most ideal, since outdoor activities can all arranged in a rather calm and pleasant weather.Ā Summers tend to be humid, and winters cooler. If you visit in summer, also be prepared for possible mosquitoes or sudden rain.
How to Get to Yunshuiyao Ancient Town
Consider factors such as your travel preferences, schedule, and budget when choosing a mode of transportation.
By Car: From āXiamen or Zhangzhou, you can reach Yunshuiyao Scenic area directly by highway. It is recommended to plan your route in advance and pay attention to road conditions and high-speed limits.
By āHigh-speed Train: You can take the high-speed rail to āNanjing station, then transfer to bus No. 6 to YunshuiyaoĀ Scenic Area. ā
By āBus: After arriving at Nanjing Station, you can take the bus to Yunshuiyao Ancient Town. ā
āChartered Bus Service orĀ Sign up for a Package Tour: A package tour or charteredĀ bus service can save you a lot of trouble changing to public transport and help you manage your trip better.
In addition, the climate of Yunshuiyao Ancient Town is changeable, so it is recommended that you carry rain gear for emergencies, as well as anti-mosquito products to prevent mosquito bites.
Attractions nearby Yunshuiyao Ancient Town
Shuyang Town:
Itās the location of the World Cultural Heritage Nanjing Earth Buildings, among which the most famous earth buildings are the Tianluokeng tulou clusters. TheĀ houses in this town are mainly square and round tulou, which collect the essence of Hakka architecture and are rich in local folk characteristics.
Yongding Hakka TulouĀ Clusters:
Located in Hukeng Town, Yongding tulou clusters is the world’s most magical building for mountain residents. With a long history, unique style, large scale and exquisite structure, tulou is a wonderful treasure in ancient Chinese residential architecture. The Hongkeng tulou cluster isĀ well worth seeing.
FAQs about Yunshuiyao
Are there accommodations inside or near Yunshuiyao?
Yes.Ā Yunshuiyao village and nearbyĀ area allĀ haveĀ traditional-style guesthouses and tulou guesthouses. Staying one night here can also give you a rewarding and interesting experience.
What cultural or historical features are unique to the area?
Yunshuiyao preserves many authentic Hakka tulou earthen houses and ancient banyan-lined village scenery. TheyĀ combine and present rural life, traditional architecture and centuries-old history.
How long should you spend there?
If you only want to see the main attractions, thenĀ 2ā3 hours can be enough.Ā To explore more leisurely or stay overnight, half a day to a full day is reasonable.
What is Yunshuiyao best known for?
Itās best known for its beautiful fusion of scenic riverside village setting, ancient banyan-tree streets and historic Hakka tulou. They offerĀ a glimpse into traditional southern Fujian rural culture.
Plan Your Fujian Tulou Tour with China Xian Tour
Unlike many other attractions, the Fujian Tulou region offers a unique glimpse into Hakka culture and traditional Chinese rural life. To better explore the hidden charm of this area, you can join a customized tour led by private guides from China Xian Tour. We can design itineraries that fits all your preference while also giving you a deep insight into the siteās culture and history. Since all logistics, transfers, and entry arrangements are taken care ofĀ by us, you canĀ fullyĀ focus on enjoy the trip and making unforgettable memories.
