100 times quieter than Yunshuiyao! Discovered the real "living" Tulou in Fujian, spend your holiday here
Friend, if you are like me, tired of the crowds at popular tourist spots and just want to find a quiet place to daydream and stroll slowly, then you must add the "Yongding Chuxi Tulou Cluster" to your list! This May Day, I hid deep in the mountains of western Fujian and found this corner forgotten by time—no crowded tour groups, no noisy hawkers, only green mountains, terraced fields, Tulou standing quietly for hundreds of years, and Hakka people living their ordinary lives. This guide is for everyone seeking a "peaceful and authentic local vibe."
🏡 Chuxi Sketch: A "Living" Tulou Museum
· Address: Chuxi Village, Xiayang Town, Yongding District, Longyan City, Fujian Province
· Highlights: Very few tourists, pristine environment, accessible inside, a perfect photo spot. This is one of the prototypes for the mysterious walled houses in the animated film "Big Fish & Begonia," but with almost no commercial atmosphere.
· Ticket price: About 65 RMB (includes the viewing platform and several main Tulou buildings).
· Recommended visit duration: 3-4 hours, ideal for slow walking, photography, and daydreaming.
🗺️ My Walking Route (feel free to copy)
Viewing Platform → Jiqing Lou (largest and oldest) → Shengqing Lou → Gengqing Lou → Shanqing Lou
This route is very smooth, starting with a panoramic view and then going deeper into the village to experience a gradually immersive feeling.
1. First stop: Viewing Platform (a must!) After entering the village, don’t rush down. Spend 15 minutes climbing up to the viewing platform. This is Chuxi’s "God’s eye view," with the entire Tulou cluster backed by green mountains and facing terraced fields spreading out like a painting before your eyes. At dusk, the sunset gilds the Tulou edges, and the terraces glow softly—perfect for photography.
2. Second stop: Jiqing Lou (the core of the core) After descending, head straight to Jiqing Lou. Built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, it is the oldest and most uniquely structured round Tulou in Fujian. The entire building is assembled with wooden mortise and tenon joints without a single iron nail—truly astonishing. You can freely go inside! Walking on the creaking circular corridor and touching the weathered wooden walls instantly transports you back hundreds of years.
3. Third and fourth stops: Shengqing Lou, Gengqing Lou, Shanqing Lou These buildings are close to each other and can be explored at leisure. The stone steps and square in front of Gengqing Lou create a deep perspective when shot with a telephoto lens. The villagers here are mostly very friendly; you can see elders sunbathing at the doorsteps and dogs strolling leisurely, full of life’s warmth.
📸 Exclusive Photo Spots (tested for great shots)
· Panoramic masterpiece: At the Viewing Platform. Use a medium telephoto lens to capture the Tulou, terraces, and distant mountains together with excellent layering.
· "Big Fish & Begonia" vibe: Inside Jiqing Lou. Shoot upward at the circular sky or stand on the third floor to shoot the central courtyard from above for a cinematic composition.
· Cultural documentary: In the square in front of Gengqing Lou, capture villagers working or quiet scenes of elders with the Tulou in the frame.
· Atmospheric close-ups: The texture of the earth walls, carvings on door lintels, hanging lanterns, and flowers on windowsills—all great storytelling details.
💡 Comprehensive Practical Guide & Pitfall Tips
1. Transportation is challenging but worth it:
· Strongly recommend self-driving! Navigate to "Chuxi Tulou Cluster." It takes about 1.5 hours from Longyan city center or Yongding Tulou Tourist Service Center. The latter half is a mountain road with beautiful scenery but requires careful driving.
· If not driving: Take a shuttle bus to "Xiayang Town," then taxi or local motorcycle taxi (about 6 km) to Chuxi. Be sure to arrange your return ride in advance.
2. Accommodation and itinerary:
· Accommodation in Chuxi Village is very limited, mostly simple farm stays. It’s better to stay in the well-equipped "Tulou Prince" scenic area (Hongkeng Village) or Xiayang Town (with hot springs and more food options), then visit Chuxi the next day.
· You can combine Chuxi with nearby Nanxi Tulou Great Wall (viewing platform for magnificent Tulou clusters) and Xiayang Town (beef dishes and hot springs) for a relaxed 2-day trip.
3. Tips for a better experience:
· Best time: Arrive in the afternoon when the sunlight is soft. Visit the Tulou first, then watch the sunset from the viewing platform.
· Wear comfortable flat shoes! The village has stone paths and steps.
· Mindset: This is not an amusement park. Slow down, respect local life, and speak softly.
4. Food without disappointment:
· There is a farmhouse restaurant at the village entrance serving Hakka dishes like taro dumplings, beef meatballs, and bamboo shoot stewed pork.
· For more authentic flavors, go to Xiayang Town, famous for beef meatballs, mouse rice cakes, and pickled duck feet.
✨ Final thoughts
In Chuxi, time seems to slow down. You can sit on the doorstep of a centuries-old Tulou, listen to the wind blowing through the valley, watch sunlight wander on the earth walls, and think of nothing. This pure, peaceful, earthy, and authentic feeling is the most precious part of travel.
If you long for such a journey, add Chuxi to your list. It may be remote, but it will never disappoint.
Fujian Travel