Nanjing Tulou Yunshuiyao

Introduction to Nanjing Tulou Nanjing Tulou is located in Nanjing County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province. It is a world cultural heritage and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. It is known as a "mythical mountain building." The Tulou was first built in the middle of the Yuan Dynasty and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is a group-living building built by the Hakka people to defend against bandits and wild beasts. Its architectural forms are diverse, including round, square, oval, and five-phoenix shapes. There are more than 1,500 existing earth buildings, the most famous of which are the Tianluokeng Earth Building Complex with "Four Dishes and One Soup", the Hegui Tower, "The Most Unique Building in the World", and the Huaiyuan Tower, "The Bookish Earth Building". Geography and Climate Nanjing County has a subtropical monsoon climate with mild and humid seasons and an average annual temperature of 21°C, making it suitable for sightseeing all year round. Most of the earthen buildings are distributed in the hilly areas in the west, such as Shuyang Town and Meilin Town. They are surrounded by mountains and rivers and have beautiful scenery. Building Characteristics - Materials and technology: The outer wall is built with rammed earth, and fine sand and glutinous rice paste are added to enhance toughness. The wall is more than 1 meter thick and is earthquake-resistant and moisture-proof. - Functional design: The first floor is the kitchen, the second floor is the warehouse, the third floor and above are for living, and the top floor has a watchtower. The internal corridors are connected, with good lighting and ventilation. - Cultural Fusion: The buildings are beautifully decorated, such as the "Shili Courtyard" private school in Huaiyuan Building and the Yin-Yang Well in Hegui Building, which embody Confucianism and Feng Shui concepts. Nanjing Tulou Travel Guide 1. Recommended core attractions - Yunshuiyao Ancient Town - Hegui Tower: A five-story square earthen building, built on a swamp but standing for a hundred years. There are two wells in the building, one clear and one turbid, known as the "Yin Yang Well". - Huaiyuan Tower: A double-ring circular earthen building, it houses the private school "Shili Courtyard" with a strong culture of wood carvings and couplets. - Yunshuiyao Ancient Plank Road: A cobblestone path built along the stream, dotted with thousand-year-old banyan trees and water wheels, suitable for strolling and taking photos. - Tianluokeng Tulou Group (four dishes and one soup) - It consists of 5 earth buildings, and the view from the observation deck looks like "four dishes and one soup", with bright lights at night. - Hekeng Tulou Group - The 13 earth buildings are distributed in the shape of the Big Dipper, with "Chaoshui Tower" and "Yongsheng Tower" as the most representative ones, preserving their original appearance. 2. Tickets and opening hours - Combo ticket price: - Yunshuiyao combined ticket (Hegui Building + Huaiyuan Building + Yunshuiyao): 90 yuan/person - Tianluokeng combined ticket (Tianluokeng + Yuchanglou + Taxia Village): 100 yuan/person - Hekeng Tulou Group: 50 yuan/person - Opening hours: 8:30-17:30 (the scenic area is open 24 hours a day, and some attractions close earlier) 3. Transportation Guide - Self-driving: About 2.5 hours from Xiamen, navigate to "Nanjing Tulou Yunshuiyao Scenic Area" or "Tianluokeng Scenic Area". - Public transportation: - Take the high-speed rail to Nanjing Station, and transfer to bus No. 6 to Yunshuiyao (about 2 hours). - Take a bus from Nanjing County to Shuyang Town (15 yuan), and then transfer to other scenic spots. 4. Itinerary suggestions - One-day tour: Yunshuiyao Ancient Town (Hegui Tower, Huaiyuan Tower, Yunshuiyao) + Tianluokeng Night View. - Two-day tour: Day 1 Yunshuiyao + Tianluokeng; Day 2 Hekeng Tulou Group + Tasha Village (experience Hakka culture). 5. Food and Specialties - Must-try delicacies: Tulou Salt Chicken, Braised Pork with Preserved Vegetables, Hakka Rice Wine, and Dried Bamboo Shoots Casserole. - Specialties: Tieguanyin tea, dried persimmon, golden thread lotus, Morinda officinalis, etc. 6. Notes - Some of the earth buildings are still inhabited by residents. Please do not make noise when visiting and respect their privacy. - The steps of the earth building are steep, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes. - Pay attention to sun protection in summer and prepare a thin jacket in winter. Tips: Tianluokeng Scenic Area was free of charge during the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2021. It is recommended to check the latest official notice before traveling. If you have enough time, you can stay in Yunshuiyao or Tasha Village to experience the night view of the ancient village and the tranquility of the early morning.