Architectural Wonders—A World Miracle Built of Rammed Earth
The architectural landscape of Nanjing Tulou is an eternal dialogue about square and round shapes,mechanics,and aesthetics.
"Four Dishes and One Soup"Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster:A Geometric Poem Between Heaven and Earth
Overlooking the Wonder:This is the most iconic view of Nanjing Tulou.One square,three round,and one oval,five Tulou buildings are arranged in a staggered pattern along the mountainside.Viewed from above,they resemble a plum blossom blooming in the mountains,jokingly referred to by locals as"Four Dishes and One Soup."
Changing Perspectives:As the road winds down the mountainside,the landscape of Tianluokeng magically changes—round buildings sometimes appear in front and sometimes behind,square buildings sometimes hidden and sometimes exposed.Looking up from the bottom of the slope,the Tulou cluster resembles a"mini Potala Palace,"towering majestically.Best Viewing Time:After 4 PM,the light is soft,offering panoramic views from the observation deck.The illuminated buildings at night create a truly breathtaking scene.
Yuchang Building:A Leaning Architectural Marvel
Seven Hundred Years of Endurance:Built in the mid-Yuan Dynasty(around 1308),Yuchang Building is the oldest existing Fujian Tulou.Its most distinctive feature is the wooden pillars of its interior corridors,leaning precariously to the left and right,with a maximum tilt of 15 degrees.Despite appearing shaky,it has withstood seven centuries of wind and rain and countless earthquakes,remaining intact.
A Building Within a Building:Yuchang Building has five floors and 270 rooms.The ground floor kitchen contains 22 wells,the most of any Fujian Tulou.A single-story round building serves as the ancestral hall in the center of the courtyard,creating a unique"building within a building"layout.
Photography Tip:Inside,use a wide-angle lens to capture the striking effect of the leaning wooden pillars.
Hegui Building:Noah's Ark on the Swamp
A Square Building Built on Swamp:The most amazing thing about this five-story square building is that it's built on 3,000 square meters of swamp land!Back then,craftsmen used over 200 pine logs,each 20 centimeters in diameter,to drive and lay the foundation,allowing this colossal structure,standing 17.95 meters tall,to be erected.It remains sturdy and stable after more than 200 years.
The Yin-Yang Well Wonder:Inside the building are two ancient wells,only a dozen meters apart,yet one is clear and the other murky.The clear one is sweet and palatable,while the murky one is undrinkable.Locals call them the"Yin-Yang Wells."
Cultural Heritage:The building houses a private school in a"three-room,one-hall"style,forming a unique layout of"house surrounding building,building surrounding house,"reflecting the Hakka people's tradition of valuing education.
Huaiyuan Tower:The Most Exquisite Double-Ring Round Building
The Beauty of the Double Rings:Built in 1905(the 31st year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign),Huaiyuan Tower is the best-preserved and most culturally significant double-ring round earthen building in Nanjing.The outer ring is the living space,and the inner ring is the ancestral hall.Its ingenious layout is a masterpiece of traditional residential architecture.
Defense Fortifications:Bullet marks are still visible on the iron gate of Huaiyuan Tower.The gate is equipped with a water and sand leakage system to prevent fire attacks,demonstrating its comprehensive defensive capabilities.
Cultural Charm—A Living Picture of Hakka Life
Yunshuiyao Ancient Road:Famous for the film"Yunshuiyao,"this ancient town features a thousand-year-old cobblestone path winding through it.Centuries-old banyan trees cast deep shade,streams murmur,and waterwheels turn gently.It's not only a filming location for"Big Fish&Begonia,"but also a poetic retreat far from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Taxia Village:Known as the"Zhouzhuang of Southern Fujian,"this water town features a stream flowing through it,with earthen buildings(tulou)built along its banks.In front of the Deyuan Hall stands 23 stone dragon flagpoles,witnessing the Zhang clan's achievements in the imperial examinations.An evening stroll along the stream offers a unique experience.
Tulou Life:Stepping into the tulou,one sees old wooden planks blackened by time,red couplets,and green onions and bamboo baskets hanging in the corridors.The rooms are of equal size,regardless of age or status,with equal distribution.Each tulou is a microcosm of society.
Couplet Culture:Couplets such as"Farming and Reading are Fundamentals"and"Loyalty,Filial Piety,Benevolence,and Righteousness"are commonly found inside,reflecting the tulou people's emphasis on education.The history of a tulou is essentially a history of a village and its families.
Photography Tips:The best panoramic viewpoint is from the Tianluokeng viewing platform,offering a breathtaking view of the entire"Four Dishes and One Soup"(a traditional Hakka earthen building).Inside Yuchang Building,you can capture the interplay of light and shadow on the leaning wooden pillars.At dawn and dusk,the Yunshuiyao Ancient Road offers soft lighting,perfect for portraits and photographing ancient banyan trees.The pond in front of Hegui Building provides a good opportunity to capture the reflection of the earthen building.
