Fujian Hakka Tulous in Nanjing County, Zhangzhou

Fujian Hakka Tulous in Nanjing County, Zhangzhou
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Nanjing Tulous (南靖土楼), located in Nanjing County (南靖县) of Zhangzhou (漳州市), Fujian Province (福建省), are a significant example of traditional Chinese vernacular architecture. These unique, large-scale structures are primarily found in the mountainous areas of Shuyang Town (书洋镇), Meilin Town (梅林镇), and Kuiyang Town (奎洋镇), where many Hakka people reside.

The most concentrated area of Nanjing Tulous is Shuyang Town, which houses 92 ancient Tulous, accounting for 41% of the ancient Tulous in Nanjing County.

These structures are not only important in the history of Chinese residential architecture but also stand out as one of the most unique forms of rural village architecture globally. The Tulous come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including common round and square designs, as well as oval, pentagonal, half-moon, cross-chair, L-shaped, octagonal, apron-shaped, and even convex-letter forms.

The Nanjing Tulous serve as a testament to the culture of communal living and the unity of the Hakka people. They also embody traditional Chinese cultural values, blending natural architectural techniques with the essence of the country’s history and cultural development.

In July 2008, the Tianluo Pit Earth Building Group (田螺坑土楼群), Hekeng Earth Building Group (河坑土楼群), and Huaiyuan Lou (怀远楼) and Hegui Lou (和贵楼) were officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Location and Climate

Nanjing Earth Building (南靖土楼) is located in the Shuyang, Meilin, and Kuiyang areas of Nanjing County (南靖县), Zhangzhou (漳州市), Fujian Province (福建省), China.

Climate: Subtropical monsoon climate

Main buildings: Tianluo Pit Earth Building Group (田螺坑土楼群), Hekeng Earth Building Group (河坑土楼群), Huaiyuan Lou (怀远楼), and Hegui Lou (和贵楼)

Opening Hours: Open all day

Historical Background

The Nanjing Tulous are located deep within mountainous forests, an area predominantly inhabited by the Hakka people (客家人). Historically, due to warfare, famine, and other hardships, the Han Chinese (汉族) gradually migrated south. A portion of them settled in the Gannan, Fujian, and Guangdong triangle area, merging with the indigenous populations to form a unique and stable branch of the Han ethnic group. The Hakka people’s strong sense of unity and community played a crucial role in carrying the rich culture of central China southward during their long migration process.

The Nanjing Tulous evolved and took shape within this blend of natural landscapes and rich historical context.

In 686 AD during the Tang Dynasty (唐代), Chen Yuan Guang (陈元光), an official of the Tang Dynasty, was appointed to govern Zhangzhou (漳州), and Nanjing first appeared in official records. People began migrating from the coastal areas to the upstream regions of the rivers, particularly expanding towards Bopingling (博平岭) and surrounding areas.

During the Ming Dynasty (明朝), with population growth and societal stability, the Maritime Silk Road (海丝) trade flourished, and Nanjing entered a period of rapid development. The vast mountainous areas of Bopingling saw the formation of growing settlements, but due to its distance from the administrative center and its treacherous terrain, the threat of bandits and wild animals prompted several families to build round fortress-style houses for protection, leading to the early formation of the Tulous.

During the Qing Dynasty (清朝), particularly in the Kangxi (康熙) and Qianlong (乾隆) periods, the construction of Nanjing Tulous reached its peak. Over the following decades, the Tulous continued to be built, and the simplified circular form became more prominent, particularly suited to the collective living and working structures of the time.

After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国), the Nanjing Tulous entered another period of construction, with the round Tulou form continuing to be the most popular style, even though the need for defense diminished as the region modernized.

Architectural Features and Style

The Nanjing Tulous are characterized by their large, multi-story, circular or square shapes, often built with a combination of stone, earth, and wood. These buildings were originally designed to provide protection for families and communities, with walls thick enough to withstand attacks from invaders.

The structure includes multiple floors, with the top floors serving as living spaces, while the lower floors were used for storage and protection. The layout of the Tulous was designed to foster unity and collective living, with communal spaces often being at the center of the structure, symbolizing the strength and resilience of the Hakka people.

Cultural Significance

The Nanjing Tulous are a symbol of the Hakka people’s strength, unity, and ability to adapt to their environment. These architectural wonders stand as a testament to the communal lifestyle and the spirit of solidarity that has been central to Hakka culture for centuries. The Tulous also embody the Hakka people’s deep connection to their land, family, and traditions, and continue to serve as a source of pride and cultural identity for their descendants.

Architectural Features

Nanjing Tulous (南靖土楼) are a marvel of architectural ingenuity, standing as a testament to the lasting legacy of traditional earthen architecture. Constructed from local materials such as earth, wood, and cobblestones, these buildings are self-sustaining, eco-friendly, durable, and defensively strong, offering an aesthetic appeal alongside their practical function. Typically ranging from three to five stories, Nanjing Tulous serve various purposes: the first floor is used as a kitchen, the second as storage, and the upper floors as living spaces. These structures can house between 200 to 700 people and offer a range of benefits including protection from theft, earthquakes, wild animals, and moisture, while also ensuring proper ventilation and light.

In the absence of modern construction materials like steel and concrete, the Hakka people (客家人) achieved a remarkable feat of engineering, creating large and stable structures that have withstood the test of time for over 400 years.

The building style of the Nanjing Tulous reflects unique cultural, artistic, and scientific values. The construction sites were chosen with careful attention to geology, hydrology, and climate. Local materials were utilized for sustainability, and the walls were built with earth and wooden beams to ensure both sturdiness and comfort for inhabitants. The overall design incorporates traditional Chinese cultural principles, promoting family harmony and equality while fulfilling the need for communal living.

Major Buildings

Tianluo Pit Earth Building Group

The Tianluo Pit Earth Building Group (田螺坑土楼群) is located in Shuyang Town (书洋镇), Nanjing County (南靖县), Zhangzhou (漳州市), Fujian Province (福建省), about 60 kilometers from the county seat. The buildings are set on the hillside of Hudian Mountain (湖岽山) at an altitude of 787.8 meters. This group of earth buildings was originally constructed by the Huang family (黄姓客家人) and is famous for its mythic construction style.

The group was built over a period of 304 years, starting in 1662, and includes five major structures: the square Buyun Lou (步云楼), and the circular Zhenchang Lou (振昌楼), Ruichang Lou (瑞昌楼), Hechang Lou (和昌楼), and Wenchang Lou (文昌楼). The architectural layout was inspired by the “Five Rooms of the Hall of Ming Tang” (考工记图) from traditional Chinese building plans, designed to represent the Five Elements (金木水火土) of nature.

In 2001, the Tianluo Pit Earth Building Group was designated as a National Key Cultural Heritage Site, and in 2008, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Hekeng Earth Building Group

The Hekeng Earth Building Group (河坑土楼群) is located in Shuyang Town (书洋镇), Nanjing County (南靖县), Zhangzhou (漳州市), Fujian Province (福建省), and is home to the Zhang family (张姓客家人). The group covers an area of 174,000 square meters and includes 13 large earth buildings, spread across less than 1 square kilometer.

The group is based on the principle of “observing the heavens and mirroring the earth” (法天象地) and consists of six square buildings (including Chaoshui Lou (朝水楼), Yangzhao Lou (阳照楼), Yongsheng Lou (永盛楼), Shengqing Lou (绳庆楼), Yongrong Lou (永荣楼), Yonggui Lou (永贵楼)) and six circular buildings (including Yuchang Lou (裕昌楼), Chungu Lou (春贵楼), Dongsheng Lou (东升楼), Xiaochun Lou (晓春楼), Yongqing Lou (永庆楼), Yuxing Lou (裕兴楼)), along with the Nanxun Lou (南薰楼), a pentagonal building.

The construction of these buildings spanned 423 years, from 1549 to 1972, reflecting the historical development of Hakka architecture through three generations. The square and circular buildings together form a “Big Dipper” (北斗七星) arrangement in the sky.

In 2008, the Hekeng Earth Building Group was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Huaiyuan Lou

Huaiyuan Lou (怀远楼), located in Meilin Town (梅林镇), Nanjing County (南靖县), was built between 1905 and 1909 during the Qing Dynasty (清朝). It covers an area of 1,384.7 square meters with a building area of 3,468 square meters. The structure is made of large cobblestones and rammed earth, and the earth walls are especially durable. The design of the earth walls is distinct, and the construction technique is highly sophisticated, resulting in smooth, non-peeling surfaces. Huaiyuan Lou is one of the best-preserved and culturally rich double-ring round Tulous.

In 2006, Huaiyuan Lou was designated as a National Key Cultural Heritage Site.

Hegui Lou

Hegui Lou (和贵楼), located in Pushan Village (璞山村), Meilin Town (梅林镇), Nanjing County (南靖县), was constructed in 1731 during the Qing Dynasty. It is a five-story square Tulou and is famous for its “house-within-house” (厝包楼、楼包厝) architectural style, which incorporates 15 surrounding rooms and a private school inside the building. It is regarded as the “World’s First Wonder House” (天下第一奇楼).

In 2001, Hegui Lou was designated as a National Key Cultural Heritage Site.

Yuchang Lou

Yuchang Lou (裕昌楼), located in Xiaoban Village (下版村), Shuyang Town (书洋镇), Nanjing County (南靖县), was built in 1308 during the Yuan Dynasty (元朝). Standing 18.4 meters tall with a diameter of 54 meters, it is one of the largest and oldest Tulous in the region. The structure was jointly constructed by the Liu (刘), Luo (罗), Zhang (张), Tang (唐), and Fan (范) families based on the principles of Feng Shui (风水) and the Five Elements (五行).

Historical and Cultural Significance

Nanjing Tulous are not only a remarkable example of architectural achievement but also a vital part of Hakka culture and history. These structures have been built with the Hakka people’s emphasis on unity, family, and survival in a sometimes harsh environment. The use of local materials, ingenious construction techniques, and the cultural and social organization they represent make these buildings a living monument to the resilience and ingenuity of the Hakka people.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Hakka Tulou Construction Techniques (客家土楼营造技艺) and Fujian Hakka Mountain Songs (福建客家山歌) — particularly those sung in Zhangzhou Nanjing Tianluo Pit (漳州南靖田螺坑) — are part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Hakka people, reflecting the unique cultural expressions associated with the Tulous.

These architectural and musical traditions have been preserved as vital elements of the Hakka cultural identity and continue to be celebrated today as an integral part of the cultural fabric of Fujian (福建).