TULOU

In Yongding and in the surrounding villages, you can see a large number of Hakka houses, including the Zhengcheng Tulou, dubbed the «Prince of Tulou». There are about 20,000 such houses, mostly in the Fujian province, but also in Jiangxi, Hunan and Guangdong, the neighboring provinces. Some are able to accommodate a community of more than 800 people! The oldest building still visible in Yongding dates from the beginning of the XIV century. Only one family today occupies the building, 5 km from the main village. The clan leader will proudly show you the sculptures he makes with tree roots. The oldest houses are in fact square shape. Subsequently, the Hakka built round or half-moon buildings more resistant to typhoons and earthquakes in the region. Since 2008, 46 tulou du Fujian have been classified as UNESCO's World Heritage Site. If hostels are often held by former clan leaders, the younger generation tends to live outside these houses. Before traditions get lost, it's time to go discover these tulou and immerse themselves in the fascinating history of the Hakka, the gypsies of China.