How to Choose Fujian Tulou? (Complete Guide Included)
Fujian Tulou counts more than 10,000 buildings, and before I went there, I was a bit confused about how to choose and how to get there, plus there are so many names of Tulou, and I always felt something was missing from the posts online, so I organized my thoughts after coming back for your reference:
🏠Introduction to Tulou
1⃣️History: The people from the Central Plains built Tulou in the south to avoid wars.
2⃣️Shape: Tulou are not only round, they can be categorized into round, square, and Wufeng buildings (symmetrical left and right, lower in the front and higher in the back, with roofs shaped like flying birds, hence the name Wufeng).
3⃣️Structure: There are corridor-style enclosed buildings and unit-style enclosed buildings. Most of the key Tulou scenic areas we visit are corridor-style, meaning the middle parts are interconnected, while unit-style are not.
4⃣️Function: Vertically, each building houses one family, with the kitchen on the first floor, granary on the second, and living quarters above the third floor. The first and second floors have no windows to prevent thieves and wild animals from climbing in.
🎑Classification of Tulou
Mainly divided into Nanjing, Yongding, and Hua'an, with most concentrated in the first two.
- Nanjing: Yunshuiyao, Tianluokeng, Hekeng
- Yongding: Gaobei, Hongkeng, Chuxi, Nanxi
- Hua'an: Dadi
(Specific key Tulou features, ticket prices, and routes are detailed in the image)
❓How to Choose Tulou
Generally, you visit 2 scenic areas in one day, and most people don't care about the details. I suggest choosing one from the commercial scenic areas, as they are quite similar.
- More commercial: Yunshuiyao, Tianluokeng, Gaobei, Hongkeng
- More homestays: Yunshuiyao, Tianluokeng
- Public transportation available: Yunshuiyao, Tianluokeng, Yongding Tulou King
- Good for photography, fewer people: Chuxi
The following are personal opinions, not guidance:
- Classic route lovers: Tianluokeng + Gaobei (Tulou King)
- Unique feature lovers: Tianluokeng + Hongkeng (Tulou Prince)
- Water enthusiasts: Yunshuiyao
- Photography and quietness lovers: Tianluokeng + Chuxi
- Focused understanding: Tianluokeng or Gaobei/Hongkeng or Chuxi (choose one of three)
🪧A Few Additional Points
1. I think Tianluokeng is more interesting and cost-effective than Yunshuiyao, which is more frequented by tour groups, but it still depends on your purpose. If you just want to stroll around, it doesn't matter which you choose.
2. Just choosing any key Tulou will give you a general idea, as there are so many, they only differ in layout and features, that's all.
4. Apart from Chuxi Jiqing Building, you have to pay to go upstairs in other Tulous, be aware of free tea and free well visits.
5. Tulous are generally located on mountain roads, requiring walking, so it's recommended not to wear high heels.
🍜Eating and Accommodation
Yunshuiyao and Tianluokeng both have well-equipped restaurants and homestays, while other Tulous have villagers who cook for themselves, suitable for individual travelers, and not every Tulou offers in-house hostels, most do not.
🚗How to Get There
Departing from Zhangzhou Ancient City:
1. Join a tour group: One-day tour prices usually range from 300 to 700.
2. Chartered car: Tianluokeng + Yongding Tulou King 550, Tianluokeng + Chuxi 650 (excluding tickets)
3. Self-driving: Yongding and Nanjing are about 100 kilometers away from Zhangzhou, about a 1-hour drive one way.
4. Public transportation: Tianluokeng/Yunshuiyao/Hekeng have minibuses from Nanjing high-speed rail to the scenic area, and each scenic area is quite scattered, with no taxis available.
Fujian is a good place, Fujian Tulou is also a good place, very suitable for play, many people. This life will not live up to going to Fujian to play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This ticket is a bit expensive, just visit the ancient town, see the earth building, and there is an extra charge for the earth building. The night view is beautiful, and the marked windmill of Yunshuiyao can be photographed very well. There are a lot of people during the day. It is recommended to live in the scenic area. You can come out in the morning and evening when there are few people.
The small bridge and flowing water are worth watching with care. I went to the name of the movie. The price/performance ratio is OK. Some people say it is expensive, but there may be expensive reasons. It is very close to the Tulou. It is also a good choice to see the Tulou after watching it.
The driver and tour guide for this trip is Master Du. He made an appointment one day in advance and arrived early the next day. The car was clean and odorless. He also let the children sleep in the car. He introduced us to the scenic spot and eated well. He took the children to find a convenience store. Very patient, send us to the hotel when we come back, After putting things, we sent us to Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street. Master of conscience, the child likes Master Du very much, great, five-star recommendation!
The place is worth visiting, that is, there are too many people. The night view is more beautiful at night. . We drove from Jiangsu. Overall, the environment is beautiful. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The scenic spot is composed of three parts. Overall, it is good, convenient transportation, convenient eating, the road environment of the scenic spot is very clean, the earth building is also very beautiful, the Tianluokeng four dishes and one soup scenic spot are a bit dirty and messy. It is recommended to play more in the scenic spot of the scenic spot. At night, the clouds and water songs that fade away from the flow of people are particularly quiet and comfortable.