Nanjing Tulou
Address:
Xiamen,
Description:
Located a short drive outside of Xiamen on the mainland, the Nanjing Tulou exemplify a style the style of living of the Hakka people of China. The tulou are communal earthen dwellings, usually formed in the shape of a square or a circle. The dwellings have one main gate, with multiple families living in the interior. The tulou were originally built for protection from bandits, with families sharing many resources. The Nanjing Tulou clusters are perhaps the best examples of tulous in Fujian Province, as they are large and well kept. Driving just outside the city limits into Nanjing, the bustle of the metropolis falls away, and visitors begin to get a sense of old China. All the larger tulous are available for tours, and guides are readily available to give descriptions of the Hakka way of life. Many tulous are still lived in, and residents often hold markets within the compound.