In the morning, we will take a 2-hour drive to the Tulou area to visit the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, located in Shangban Village, Shuyang Town. This castle is composed primarily of four round and one rectangular earthen house and is one of the most magnificent and well-preserved Hakka Castles in the area. The village is also listed as a Famous Historic Cultural Village in China for its typical cultural regional system.
Next, we will visit Yuchanglou, located in Xiaban Village. Yuchanglou was built in 1308 and is one of the oldest existing Tulous. This five-story earth building is most famous for its tilted pillars, with the most extreme being slanted at a 15-degree angle. Yuchanglou has been like this for more than 600 years and remains intact today.
After that, we will go to Taxia Village, an exquisite Hakka village located in a valley in Shuyang Town. There are more than 20 earthen buildings of different shapes built along the bank of a clear brook that flows through the entire village. Another major attraction is Zhang's Clan Ancestral Hall. Next to a pond, 20 stone flagpoles rise like a stone forest in front of it. As one of the most well-preserved ancient clan houses in China, Zhang's Clan Ancestral Hall is listed among the key cultural relics protected at the national level.
We will also visit Shiqiao Village, a mountain village with many interesting Tulou houses. One of the interesting Tulous of the village is the 4-story Shunyulou, which was built in 1945. It has the longest outer diameter, 74.1m, among the single donut-type Tulou houses with an inner corridor. Another one is Changyuanlou, which was built in 1723 (Qing dynasty), on a linear site with a steep slope facing a stream. It is a rectangular-type Tulou that shows dramatic harmony with nature.
Finally, we will transfer back to Xiamen after the tour.
Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Xiamen
Meals: Breakfast
