Hongkeng Tulou Cluster
Explore ancient Hakka earthen dwellings, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing unique communal living and resilience.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the midday crowds
Hongkeng Tulou Cluster
Best Time
Beat the midday crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore ancient Hakka earthen dwellings, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing unique communal living and resilience.
"Amazing touristic spot when you visit Xiamen in Fujian province."
🗺️ Hire a Local Guide
Guides can offer historical insights and help you find the best photo spots.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking on uneven paths and stairs.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster
Zhangzhou
Marvel at the iconic 'four dishes and one soup' arrangement of these unique earthen buildings.
Exploring Inside a Tulou
Various Tulou buildings
Step inside these ancient communal homes and imagine generations of Hakka life.
Unrestored Local Villages
Valley path towards Taxiacun
Discover the raw beauty of older, unrestored Tulou structures and local life.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Getting There & Tickets
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🗺️ Hire a Local Guide
Guides can offer historical insights and help you find the best photo spots.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking on uneven paths and stairs.
📸 Ask for Family Photos
Guides or locals might offer to take great family photos inside the Tulou.
🛄 Bring Your Passport
You'll need it to purchase tickets as a foreigner.
Tips
from all over the internet
🗺️ Hire a Local Guide
Guides can offer historical insights and help you find the best photo spots.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking on uneven paths and stairs.
📸 Ask for Family Photos
Guides or locals might offer to take great family photos inside the Tulou.
🛄 Bring Your Passport
You'll need it to purchase tickets as a foreigner.
🌃 Evening Ambiance
See the Tulou lit up at night for a magical atmosphere.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors are consistently impressed by the unique architecture and historical significance of the Tulou, often describing them as 'amazing' and 'fascinating.' The opportunity to explore these ancient communal dwellings and learn about the Hakka people's resilience is a major draw. However, some find the food prices a bit high and note that the site can become crowded, especially later in the day.
"I stayed in a homestay here for two nights in may 2025. the tulous in this cluster are developed but there is a path down the valley where you can through local villages and see the ancient tulous unrestored. food is quite basic but good, a bit pricier than you'd think (about 50 rmb for a stir fry). the path further down the valley towards taxiacun is quite nice as it passes through forest and tea plantations. the site itself is not too difficult to get to from xiamen, you need to take HSR to nanjing, shared taxi to the park entrance, and a bus from there. of course it helps if you speak chinese (i dont so was a bit lost)."
TF Love
"It's very big and beautiful. I recommend to spend all day.
Entry is 90 yuan.
If you contract a guide she might invite you to the upper floor of a tulou to take some pictures."
Fantasmy
"Amazing touristic spot when you visit Xiamen in Fujian province. You will need around 2 hours to reach the spot by car. We were very lucky to find a local driver who took us there, waited for us and then take us back to hotel. All together village hakka village visit, lunch and way home we needed around 7 hours. The driver found us a very kind local guide in the nearby restaurant opposite the road to the scenic spot ticket entrance, who accompanied us in the hakka village. He made us plenty best family photos, advised where to have coffee or buy local tea. You wil need passport to buy tickets as foreigner. Separate fee is needed to enter the earth building, but is very favourable. Very interesting also for children. Recommend to start your trip in the morning, as later in the afternoon around 14.00 started to be crowded. Inside you find public toilets, restaurants, shops and local fruit vegetable stands.We tried local tea, sweet cakes and found beatiful tea cups."
Ivana Dobrovodska
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most common route involves taking a high-speed train (HSR) from Xiamen to Nanjing, followed by a shared taxi or bus to the Tulou entrance. The journey can take around 2 hours each way.
Once at the main entrance, there are buses that can take you to different clusters. For more flexibility, consider hiring a local driver for the day, especially if you don't speak Chinese.
Yes, it's a popular day trip. However, to truly appreciate the history and explore the surrounding areas, spending a night in a homestay is recommended.
From Xiamen, expect around 2 hours by car or a combination of HSR and local transport. Some visitors mention it's about 4 hours from Hong Kong.
While not always advertised, you can often arrange for local drivers who can also act as informal guides or help you find local guides at the site.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The general entrance fee is around 90 yuan. There's an additional, favorable fee to enter the actual earth buildings.
Yes, foreigners will need to present their passport to purchase tickets.
Yes, there's a main entrance fee, and then separate fees are required to go inside specific Tulou structures.
Information on advance online ticketing is limited. It's generally recommended to purchase tickets upon arrival at the site.
The site is generally open throughout the day, but it's best to arrive earlier to avoid crowds and make the most of your visit.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can explore the iconic 'four dishes and one soup' arrangement, wander through ancient villages, and learn about the Hakka people's history.
Many visitors recommend staying overnight in a homestay to experience the Tulou at different times of day and explore quieter, unrestored areas.
The terrain can be uneven, and many buildings have stairs. It might be challenging for those with significant mobility issues.
Yes, it's considered interesting for children, offering a unique glimpse into historical communal living.
You'll find public toilets, restaurants, shops selling local products like tea and crafts, and fruit stands.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
You can find local Fujian cuisine, including stir-fries and regional specialties. Trying local tea and sweet cakes is also recommended.
Food prices can be a bit higher than expected, with some stir-fry dishes costing around 50 RMB.
While not explicitly stated, most Chinese restaurants can accommodate vegetarian requests with stir-fried vegetables.
Yes, there are shops and stands selling local tea, sweet cakes, and fresh fruit.
Some visitors mention finding good local guides or food recommendations near the ticket entrance.
📸 📸 Photography
The aerial view of the Tianluokeng cluster, often described as 'four dishes and one soup,' is iconic. Also, look for opportunities inside the Tulou courtyards.
Yes, guides might invite you to upper floors for better photo opportunities. The interiors offer unique perspectives on communal living.
Early mornings and late afternoons offer softer light and fewer crowds, ideal for capturing the atmosphere. The evening lighting is also magical.
Drone usage regulations can vary and may be restricted in protected heritage sites. It's best to check local rules before flying.
Focus on the unique circular and rectangular architecture, the communal courtyards, and the details of daily life within the Tulou.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Tips for families: Wear comfortable shoes as there's a lot of walking. Consider hiring a local guide who can make the history more engaging for younger audiences and help capture memorable family photos.
🚶 Budget Travelers
To save on food costs, consider packing some snacks or looking for smaller local eateries away from the main tourist hubs. Staying in a homestay can also be more budget-friendly than hotels and offers a more authentic experience.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
The unique circular and rectangular architecture, the textures of the rammed earth, and the communal courtyards provide endless creative possibilities. Best times for photography are early morning and late afternoon to capture the best light and avoid crowds. Consider hiring a local guide who can lead you to less-obvious vantage points and potentially grant access to upper floors for unique interior shots.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The History and Resilience of the Hakka Tulou
The construction of a single Tulou could take generations, with families pooling resources and labor. This communal living fostered a strong sense of community and mutual support, essential for survival in their new mountainous settlements. The architectural design itself reflects this communal spirit, with shared courtyards, wells, and living spaces.
Today, many Tulou are still inhabited, offering a living connection to the past. Visiting these sites provides a profound understanding of the Hakka culture, their history of migration, and their remarkable ability to adapt and thrive. The UNESCO World Heritage status recognizes their outstanding universal value as a unique example of traditional human settlement.
Exploring the Architectural Marvels
Inside, the Tulou are organized around a central courtyard, which served as the heart of community life. Rooms were typically arranged in concentric circles or rows, with lower floors often used for kitchens and storage, and upper floors for bedrooms. This design ensured that everyone had access to light, air, and the communal spaces.
Beyond the iconic circular designs, you'll also find rectangular and other geometric shapes. Exploring the unrestored Tulou in the surrounding valleys offers a more raw and authentic experience, showcasing the original building materials and the passage of time.
Practicalities for Your Visit
When it comes to tickets, be aware that there's a general entrance fee for the cluster, and an additional fee is required to enter the individual earth buildings. Foreign visitors will need to present their passport to purchase tickets.
Food options are available within the site, including restaurants and local fruit stands. While prices might be slightly higher than in larger cities, it's a convenient way to refuel. Trying the local tea and sweet cakes is a must.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit