Chengqi Tower: the pearl of earthen buildings and a legendary building.
In Fujian, a land full of magic and charm, stands a magnificent building that carries the vicissitudes of history and the brilliance of humanity - Chengqi Tower. It is like a shining pearl, emitting a unique light in the long river of time, attracting countless people to explore its mysteries and legends.
1. Historical Origin of Chengqi Building
Chengqi Tower is located in Gaobei Village, Gaotou Township, Yongding District, Longyan City, Fujian Province. It was first built during the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty. After three generations of efforts, it was completed in the 48th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1709). The birth of this earth building embodies the wisdom and diligence of the Hakka people. It is a unique architectural form created by them during their long migration process in order to resist foreign enemies and unite their tribesmen.
The Hakka people, an ancient and tenacious ethnic group, have continued to migrate in the tide of history. They came from the Central Plains to Fujian, Guangdong and other places, facing harsh natural environment and frequent wars. In order to survive and develop, they chose to build earthen buildings, which are sturdy, durable and defensive. Chengqi Tower came into being in such a background and became the home and spiritual symbol of the Hakka people.
2. Architectural Features
Chengqi Tower is famous for its grand scale, exquisite structure and unique style. It faces south and covers an area of about 5,376 square meters, with a diameter of 73 meters and consists of four concentric circles. The outer ring building has four floors and is about 16.4 meters high, with 72 rooms on each floor; the second ring building has two floors and 40 rooms on each floor; the third ring building is a single floor with 32 rooms; the center is the ancestral hall, which is the place where all the clansmen in the building worship their ancestors and hold important events.
The walls of the earthen building are made of a mixture of local raw soil, lime, fine sand and other materials. They are 1.8 meters thick and extremely strong. The wall is equipped with defense facilities such as watchtowers and shooting holes, which can effectively resist the invasion of foreign enemies during wartime. The roof of the earth building adopts the traditional wooden beam structure and is covered with green tiles, which is both beautiful and practical.
The internal layout of Chengqi Building is reasonable and fully functional. There are numerous staircases, passages and courtyards in the building to facilitate residents' travel and communication. Each room has independent doors and windows, providing good ventilation and lighting. The building is also equipped with living facilities such as wells, kitchens, toilets, etc. to meet the daily needs of residents.
The decoration of the earthen building is also unique. A plaque with the words "Chengqi Tower" hangs above the gate. The characters are vigorous and powerful, demonstrating the majesty and solemnity of the earth building. The walls of the building are painted with various exquisite murals with rich themes, including landscapes, flowers and birds, figures, etc., showing the artistic talent and life interest of the Hakka people. In addition, the doors, windows, beams and columns of the earthen buildings are also carved with various patterns, such as dragons and phoenixes, unicorns, flowers, etc., which symbolize good luck, happiness and contentment.
3. Cultural Connotation
Chengqi Tower is not just a building, but also an encyclopedia that carries the history and culture of the Hakka people. It contains rich cultural connotations and embodies the Hakka people's values, morals and aesthetics.
First of all, Chengqi Tower embodies the Hakka people’s spirit of unity and cooperation. In the process of building earth buildings, all the tribesmen need to work together. From site selection, design to construction, every link requires everyone's participation and cooperation. This spirit of unity and cooperation is not only reflected in the construction of earthen buildings, but also runs through the daily life of the Hakka people. In the earth building, the tribesmen help and care for each other, and jointly maintain the safety and stability of the earth building.
Secondly, Chengqi Tower embodies the Hakka people’s concept of respecting their ancestors. The center of the earth building is the ancestral hall, where all the people in the building worship their ancestors. Here, the tribesmen commemorate the achievements of their ancestors and pass on the family culture and traditions. Respecting ancestors is one of the important values of the Hakka people. It has enabled the Hakka people to always maintain their loyalty to their family and their love for traditional culture throughout the long history.
In addition, Chengqi Tower also reflects the aesthetic taste of Hakka people. The architectural style of the earth building is simple and elegant, and the decoration is exquisite. It focuses on both practicality and aesthetics, reflecting the Hakka people's pursuit of quality of life. The murals, carvings and other decorative arts of the earthen buildings demonstrate the artistic talent and creativity of the Hakka people, and also leave valuable cultural heritage for future generations.
IV. Tourism Value
With its unique architectural style and profound cultural connotations, Chengqi Tower has become a famous tourist attraction in Fujian and even the whole country. Every year, a large number of tourists come to visit and appreciate the charm of the earth buildings.
Visitors who come to Chengqi Tower can admire the magnificent earthen building and feel the wisdom and diligence of the Hakka people. They can stroll in the earth building, visit various rooms and courtyards, and learn about the internal structure and functions of the earth building. You can also visit the ancestral hall to learn about the Hakka people’s concept of respecting their ancestors and family culture.
In addition, tourists can also taste authentic Hakka cuisine, such as Hakka stuffed tofu, preserved vegetable braised pork, Yongding beef balls, etc. These delicacies attract the taste buds of many tourists with their unique flavors and production techniques. Tourists can also buy various Hakka souvenirs, such as earthen building models, Hakka embroidery, Yongding red persimmons, etc. as a commemoration of their trip.
In order to better develop and utilize the tourism resources of Chengqi Tower, the local government and tourism department have taken a series of measures. They have strengthened the protection and renovation of earth buildings, improved the quality of tourism services, and launched a series of tourism products and routes. At the same time, they also actively carry out publicity and promotion activities to increase the popularity and reputation of Chengqi Tower and attract more tourists to visit.
V. Protection and inheritance
As a precious historical and cultural heritage, Chengqi Tower faces many threats such as natural erosion and man-made destruction. In order to protect this pearl of earth building, the local government and all sectors of society have taken a series of measures.
First, the protection of earth buildings has been strengthened. Relevant laws and regulations have been formulated to clarify the protection scope and requirements of earth buildings. A large amount of money has been invested in the repair and maintenance of the earth buildings to ensure their safety and stability. At the same time, we have strengthened the remediation and management of the environment around the Tulou to protect the ecological environment of the Tulou.
Secondly, actively carry out the inheritance and promotion of Tulou culture. The historical and cultural value of earth buildings is displayed to the public through various cultural activities and exhibitions. Strengthen the research and exploration of Tulou culture, publish relevant books and papers, and provide theoretical support for the inheritance and development of Tulou culture. In addition, through education and other means, a new generation of inheritors of Tulou culture is cultivated, allowing Tulou culture to radiate new vitality in the new era.
VI. Future Outlook
As one of the representatives of Fujian Tulou, Chengqilou has broad prospects in future development. As people pay more attention to history and culture and tourism demand continues to grow, Chengqi Tower will attract more tourists to visit. At the same time, the government and all sectors of society will continue to increase their efforts in protecting and inheriting the earth building, so that this historic earth building can shine with new brilliance.
In future development, we can expect Chengqi Tower to become a more important cultural tourist destination. It will continue to contribute to Fujian's economic development and cultural construction and become a bright business card of the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation. At the same time, we also hope that more people can pay attention to and protect Chengqi Tower, so that this pearl of earth building will always shine in the sky of history.
In short, Chengqi Tower is a building with important historical, cultural and tourism value. It witnessed the migration process of the Hakka people and carries the wisdom and emotions of the Hakka people. In the long river of time, it is like an immortal monument, standing tall and telling the world about that magnificent history. Let us walk into Chengqi Building together, feel its charm, inherit its culture, and jointly write the legend of our era. Chengqi Building