Nanjing Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Four dishes and one soup

5A South Jing Tu Lou Scenic Area is a very historical scenic area, where you can fully understand the culture and life of the Hakka people. They unite to resist foreign enemies, they are hardworking and enduring, and they have built their own magical round houses and live here. The four round houses surrounding a square house are called 'four dishes and one soup' by people.

Fujian Tulou, this article is enough! When you come to Fujian, don't just go to Xiamen and Xiapu, you must come to see the Tulou

The prototype of the place where Chun lives in the film 'Big Fish & Begonia' comes from the Fujian Tulou - Chengqi Lou, the king of buildings. Many people who come to Tulou for the first time will hesitate whether to go to Nanjing Tulou or Yongding Tulou. Considering the convenience of transportation and the diversity of Tulou types, it is recommended to choose Nanjing Tulou, because you can go to Yunshuiyao for a leisurely walk, see the Big Fish & Begonia version of Tulou, and see the 'Four Dishes and One Soup' often seen in Tulou promotional films. Fujian Tulou is mostly built by Hakka people, so it is also called Hakka Tulou. Because most of the Hakka people migrated from the Central Plains, they were deeply influenced by the culture of the Central Plains. During the migration process, in order to survive, they had to face various life hardships, so they built houses according to the Bagua. A Tulou is the center of a family's cohesion. The special nature of Hakka Tulou's collective living reflects the strong family ethics of the Hakka people. Route: Xiamen-Yunshuiyao Ancient Town-Taxia Village (accommodation)-Yuchang Lou-Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster-Zhangzhou or Xiamen Transportation: Prefer self-driving, public transportation is not very convenient Precautions: If you want to go upstairs, you need to pay the local villagers 5-20 yuan, depending on the off-peak season and the number of people you travel with, after all, it is indeed their current accommodation. First stop: Yunshuiyao was built in the Yuan Dynasty, with a 10-kilometer-long ancient road paved with cobblestones. Many TV shows and movies have been filmed here. Walking around Yunshuiyao, you can see many different types of Tulou clusters, including Hegui Lou, Huaiyuan Lou and other Tulous. Hegui Lou is the tallest square building among all Fujian Tulous (many are round). But what is truly amazing is that the entire building is actually built on a 3000 square meter swamp, with only more than 200 pine piles and pads underneath, and Hegui Lou has stood on this huge floating bed for more than 200 years, amazing! Accommodation: There are many homestays in Taxia Village, you can choose at will, the village is very comfortable, there are many places to eat, you can eat Zhangzhou specialty dishes at will. It's just that sometimes when there are too many cars, the road is narrow and it's not easy to drive. Second stop: Yuchang Lou, Nanjing Yuchang Lou is a very old and largest round Tulou, built in 1368, at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. I posted a video before, it's very spectacular. The pillars are leaning east and west, with a maximum inclination of 15 degrees, it looks shaky, but it has stood up after countless earthquakes! Third stop: Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, Tianluokeng is an excellent place to appreciate the local natural environment. Because its appearance is four round buildings surrounding a square building, it is also jokingly called 'Four Dishes and One Soup' by people. The five Tulous are said to represent gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. You can enjoy the view from the viewing platform, or you can go down the mountain from the viewing platform to the inside of the Tulou one by one

Tulou, the heart of Fuijian

Tulou Fujian. Exceptional traditional building and a very special type of communal living. People living their harmonious relationship with their environment and relatives. Built in 18th century and designed with an inward-looking, circular or square floor design. They were built for defense purposes around a central open courtyard with only one entrance and windows to the outside only above the first floor. Amazing history indeed. Deep within the enchanting landscapes of Fujian, China, lies a hidden gem that beckons the intrepid traveler to embark on an extraordinary expedition. Prepare to be transported to a world where time stands still, where ancient traditions intertwine with breathtaking architecture, and where adventure awaits at every turn. Welcome to the Tulou, a place that defies all expectations and promises a voyage of a lifetime. As you venture into the heart of Fujian, the anticipation builds, fueling your spirit of adventure. The Tulou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a cluster of earthen buildings that have stood for centuries, each one a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the Hakka people who call this place home. #trip #China #chinatravel #chinalife #tulou #adventure #beautiful #adventuretrip

Chinese countryside life

Fujian tulou are traditional circular communal dwellings in China's Fujian province. These UNESCO World Heritage sites offer a glimpse into the unique lifestyle of the Hakka people. Primarily built between the 15th and 20th centuries, tulou served as fortified homes, providing safety and fostering community bonds. They often house multiple families and include features like a central courtyard, living quarters, and storage areas. While tourism has increased, some tulou continue to be inhabited, blending tradition with modern influences. #timetotravel #China #fujian #asia

Yunshuiyao, heritage ancient town in Fujian

#freehotelstay There are many preserved ancient towns in China (guzhen) which have become very touristy. At first glance, Yunshuiyao appears to be one of them, with loads of tourists and tour guides clambering about for photos. However, if you veer off the main area for a little wander, it's still possible to catch quiet glimpses of this charming water town by the world-renowned circular tulous. A bit of background on Yunshuiyao: 🌳 The town is defined by the many ancient banyan trees growing by the river- there are 9 of them which are thousands of years old! See if you can spot the couple banyan tree by the main entrance to the village! 🎭 The town has been renamed after a famous Chinese movie that was filmed here over 15 years ago starring Vivian Hsu 🎥 While most of the houses by the river have been converted into gift shops and cafes, there are still residents living in the village, and you can see them carrying on with their day to day life, be it sunning chillies or tending to their gardens. Allow yourself to slow down and stroll, and just soak up the atmosphere, like the dog in the last picture 😉 #china #culturalheritage #schoolholidays #fujian

Tulous at Yunshuiyao

I spent an afternoon at Yunshuiyao scene area looking at the tulous. They were all very large and impressive! The path goes along the water and was nice on a sunny day. I also got to see a little puppet show happening. I stored my suitcase at the entrance of the area and then was free to explore for the afternoon. After I was done I got my bags and took the number 6 bus down to Nanjing to get the bus to Xiamen. It’s definitely possible to see the tulous on your own without a tour guide!#tulou

Come to Yunshui, feel its peace and quiet, you seem to float in the fairyland of smoke and fog. A long ancient road, a hundred years old, a bamboo, water, and dreams, everything seems to be detached. Walking through the clouds, you can feel a hidden temperament. The people here still maintain a very natural and primitive state of life. Women in twos and threes will wash their clothes by the water and gossip. The waterwheel keeps turning around day and night, just like in the movie "Clouds". In the distance, the green mountains are like mountains and the water is like a mirror. The sky, the clouds and the old houses are projected into it. It is really a "cloud water".

In the hustle and bustle of the city for a long time, everyone will yearn for an idyllic poetic life, and Yunshuiyu, hidden in Nanjing, Fujian, is such a desirable one. Yunshui, the first time I heard this poetic name reminds me of the PC game "Xuanyuanjian-Cloud and Mountain" that I once played. Formerly known as Changjiao, Nanjing Yunshuiyu is located in Nanjing County of Cangzhou City and belongs to a scenic spot of the world cultural heritage Fujian Tulou!

The highs and Tulou's of Tianluokeng

It's easy to overdose on Tulou scenic spots, especially if you spend a couple of days touring the various scenic areas. The Tianluokeng scenic area offers stunning landscapes and more authentic experience of Tulou life compared to some of the other 'themed' Tulou attractions. Two days sightseeing is sufficient to get a real taste and feel for Tulou culture, especially after youve visited 2 to 3 different clusters. There are some lovely guest houses. We stayed at the Nanjing Tulou Culture 1949 resort. Aside from the family friendly rooms and Instagramable decor, the honestly cuisine is incredible. Travelling as a family of 6 with 3 young children, a private hire car was a must and makes visiting Tulou attractions both convenient and allows you to go at your own pace. Our driver was local to the area so was able to take us to some less busy sights and give interesting insights. the Tianluokeng Cluster is a beautiful place and once you navigate past the usual street vendors and eateries, you can absorb daily life in and around the cluster. the high viewing platform is a must for the classic cluster photo of '4 dishes and 1 soup'. #tripblazers #awesomepic #bucketlist #instagramworthydestinations we we #awesomepic#china#nationalpark

Tulou villages: my favorite countryside 🌾

China has spectacular vernacular architecture all over the country, and the Tulou houses are definitely one of the most unique and interesting architectural typology of all. Belonging to the Hakka people, Tulou are huge fortified dwelling meant to host several families belonging to the same clan. A Tulou is split between families into slices, so that each one owns a piece of every floor. At the bottom there are kitchen and spaces for the livestock, while on upper floors are storage and bedrooms. It's difficult to capture in picture how amazing these structures are. You MUST go and see it with your own eyes! @architectureontheroad #tulou #Tianluokeng #fujian

fujian tulou

The Fujian tulou (also known as earthen building) are rural dwellings in the mountainous areas in China. They were constructed between the 12th and the 20th centuries, and unique to the Hakka. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fujian Province is in southeast China, north of Guangdong Province. The Hakka only built tulou in Fujian. A tulou is a large building, constructed with load-bearing rammed earth walls. It is used as a residence by a group of families. Tulous have three or four floors: the first floor for kitchens and dining rooms; the second floor for grain stores; and the third and fourth floors for bedrooms. In the past, tulous played a significant role in protecting the Hakka from attacks. Residents could easily mount an all-round defense, and the vulnerable entrances were strongly reinforced.

The Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster🍃

My boyfriend and I rented a car for 2 days to look around Zhangzhou. We went to Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster which is one of Fujian's landmarks. We paid 180rmb for 2. Getting there was quite exciting at the same time a bit risky because of the road?! When we got there and saw the buildings, I think they are cob buildings shaped like beautiful plum blossoms. Some locals are selling some stuffs. You can see some shops and restaurants. We even decided to have our dinner there since trip coming back would take as long. Big servings of food we couldn't finish it. As you move down the mountain path, the changing viewing angle seems to make the buildings interesting. They look great especially when the weather is fine. It's a great place to take pictures or shall we say Instagrammable views around. Here are some photos I took. #tripinspired #explorechina #tripmoments #historicallandmark #fujian #chinatravel #scenicspotguide

When the trailer of the big fish sea otter ~ movie was just broadcast, we were attracted by the earth building with red lanterns! This time, I finally had the privilege of coming to this fantastic ancient town Yunshuiyu scenic spot. It is a very long history. Huaiyuanlou and Heguilou are the most representative buildings in the Nanjing Tulou. History, Huaiyuan Building is the most complete double-circle round earth building, and the building is the representative of the inner corridor-style square building. It embodies the wisdom of the Chinese nation. They are especially quiet and calm in this ancient town, and because the big fish sea otter looks even more Mysterious, fascinating...

I just came back from a day trip to Yunshuiyao after the May Day holiday, and here's a guide to avoid the pitfalls

🔷 It takes over an hour to drive from Zhangzhou, and Nanjing Yunshuiyao ancient village is the filming location of Big Fish & Begonia - with Hakka earth buildings, century-old banyan trees, the ancient path of Goose Soft, and small bridges over flowing water, it really is a hidden gem to avoid the crowds during May Day! I stayed up late to organize a day trip itinerary, and here's a super comprehensive guide to avoiding pitfalls, so take note! ✅ 📍 Address: Nanjing County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, Navigation: Fujian Tulou Yunshuiyao Tourism Area 🚗 Transportation: Zhangzhou to Yunshuiyao, over an hour by car; Xiamen to Yunshuiyao, about 2 hours by car 🎫 Ticket: 90💰/person, includes Hegui Building, Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, and Huaiyuan Building 👣 Walking Route: Yunshuiyao Scenic Area Entrance ➡️ Hegui Building ➡️ Lover's Bridge ➡️ Waterwheel Banyan Tree ➡️ Cultural and Creative Hall ➡️ Huaiyuan Building 1⃣️ Hegui Building: The tallest earth building in Jingnan, characterized by its square shape, built on a marshland, constructed during the Qing Dynasty Yongzheng era, with a history of two hundred years, known as the 'Noah's Ark on land'. 2⃣️ Yunshuiyao Ancient Town: Famous for the movie of the same name, formerly known as Changjiao Village - Lover's Bridge, thousand-year-old banyan tree cluster, movie waterwheel, old street market, cultural and creative hall, strolling through the ancient village with small bridges and flowing water, it's really super leisurely. 3⃣️ Huaiyuan Building: The filming location of Big Fish & Begonia - a double-ring circular earth building, with a building within a building structure, beautifully constructed, and well-preserved. The large ring is for residences, and the small ring is for the school, filled with the scent of books. ‼️ Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls When Visiting ❎ You really don't need to join a tour group, it's very convenient to go on your own, and there's plenty of time. ✅ Hegui Building and Huaiyuan Building charge a 10💰/person fee to go upstairs, personally, I suggest just visiting Huaiyuan Building. ✅ The weather here changes unpredictably, so be prepared for sun protection and bring an umbrella. ✅ Wear comfortable shoes, the entire ancient stone path of Goose Soft takes over 3 hours to walk. ✅ It's recommended to stay overnight, without the daytime noise, waking up to the sound of birds in the morning is really leisurely. 🏠 Accommodation Recommendation 📍 Sheye·Qixin Valley Resort: Located between Hegui Building and Huaiyuan Building, a 5-minute walk to the ancient town is very convenient ⭐️ Garden rockery, small river flowing water, swans playing, having tea and chatting outdoors, it's really too fairy-like. This time we stayed in a bamboo loft family room, spacious and bright, exquisite and comfortable, with excellent service. Nine-grid breakfast, and there's also indoor billiards, golf, worth visiting again and again. 😋 Local Delicacies ✔️ Golden Thread Lily Stewed Duck Soup ✔️ Steamed Bare Fish ✔️ Salt and Pepper Stream Shrimp ✔️ Secret Recipe Salt Chicken ✔️ Braised Bamboo Fragrant Meat

Nanjing·Yunshuiyao Ancient Town|||

|||. Yunshuiyao Ancient Town is a historic village with a long history, originally named Changjiao. It gained fame after the movie 'Yunshuiyao' was filmed here, and the local government later renamed it 'Yunshuiyao Ancient Town'. The town boasts breathtaking ancient banyan tree clusters that are over a thousand years old. A wide stream flows through the middle of the village, alongside which there are 13 ancient banyan trees, some hundreds and some thousands of years old. The largest tree has a canopy covering an area of 1933 square meters, requiring more than ten people to embrace its trunk. Beneath the banyan trees is a thousand-year-old cobblestone path, which has been worn smooth by countless footsteps over the years. The ancient path is over 10 kilometers long and, according to historical research, was the essential route from Changting Prefecture (Longyan City) to Zhangzhou Prefecture (Zhangzhou City), now known as 'Yunshuiyao Ancient Path'. Next to the ancient path, there is a row of two-story old brick-and-wood structures, which is the centuries-old street market of Changjiao. Moreover, the most eye-catching sights in the village are the earthen buildings scattered at the foot of the mountains, along the stream, and across the fields. These earthen buildings, which began construction in the mid-Yuan dynasty, are listed as 'World Cultural Heritage' for their magical shapes and unique cultural significance. There are 53 well-preserved earthen buildings in Yunshuiyao, each with its own unique charm. The most famous are the Hegui Building, which is built on a marsh and known as the 'world's most extraordinary', and the Huaiyuan Building, which is a double-ring round earthen building known for its exquisite craftsmanship and good preservation. Yunshuiyao Ancient Town offers a pleasant scenery where mountains, water, trees, and houses complement each other, making it an absolutely beautiful and spiritually inspiring place.

Yunshuiyao, small bridges, flowing water, and family homes

While writing this short essay, I came across a short video mocking Yunshuiyao. The general idea was that the place is packed with tourists, the vendors' hawking is noisy, and the tour guides' loudspeakers are as piercing as thunder, making it impossible to find the feeling of 'ancient roads, western winds, lean horses, small bridges, and flowing water homes' anymore. During the Spring Festival period, the visitor flow is even more astonishing, and the last few daytime photos truthfully record the spectacular scene of visitors at that time. Peace leads to a long way; coming to a distant place, I want to be quiet. Walking out of the noisy city, everyone hopes to experience the artistic conception of 'ancient roads, western winds, lean horses, small bridges, and flowing water homes'. The morning sun ☀️ quietly climbs over the mountain top, the golden sunlight awakens the sleeping small mountain village, the calm stream seems as if time has been frozen at this moment, and the crisp bird songs are like a beating rhythm, adding a bright color to the tranquil picture. Isn't this the feeling of 'small bridges, flowing water, and family homes' that we look forward to? This moment only exists from 6:30 to 8:00 in the morning. Book a hotel on Ctrip, stay quietly, and wait for the arrival of 'small bridges, flowing water, and family homes'. This is the meaning of travel. ⛰【Attraction Strategy】 📍Detailed address: Yunshuiyao Ancient Village, Nanjing, Zhangzhou, Fujian. 🚗Transportation strategy: Take a high-speed train to Zhangzhou or Nanjing, then take a ride-hailing service or drive yourself. 🕙Opening hours: It seems like you can enter at any time. 💰Ticket price: Adult ticket is 90 yuan. 🌟Highlights: 1. The charm of 'small bridges, flowing water, and family homes', by the countryside streams, centuries-old banyan trees cover the sky and are worth savoring. 2. Huaiyuan Building, as one of the representatives of Fujian Tulou, is worth a visit. 📌Little Tips: 1. The small mountain village in the early morning is the whole meaning of travel, so be sure to book a hotel on Ctrip, get up early, and experience the charm of 'small bridges, flowing water, and family homes'. 2. During holidays, Huaiyuan Building is open for climbing before 8 am and after 7 pm. During the day, for safety and protection, visitors are prohibited from climbing.

Taxia Village, Fujian

Taxia Village it is a small village with a stream flowing in the center of the village. If you visit Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster you might as well explore around until you reach Taxia village. You can see the river while you are driving it is just along the road it's like a narrow road. It is indeed a narrow one so better be more careful. You can see hills and small bridges in this village. It is a beautiful village I suppose. The villagers seem living this place so peacefully and calmly. We just seized that moment and enjoyed the time of being surrounded with nature and being in a quiet place. It was a great experience. #tripinspired #tripmoments #chinatravel #chinabeauty #chinavillage #explorechina #tripcom

Appreciating another culture is what this class trip is all about. The students see amazing Hakka Homes, a World Heritage Site, and get the opportunity to learn more about Chinese Culture and history. The air is so clean and the sky so blue. #givethanks #historicallandmarks #givethanks

Taxia Village, here is a typical Hakka village in China. It is known as the Zhounan Zhouzhuang. The most unique thing here is the Hanging Corner Building of Zhejiang Hangshui Township. The high and low staggered layout is also a wonderful landscape. Follow the bridge to the slope, all the way into the road, you can see the Zhang family temple, the Zhang family temple Deyuan Hall has a history of more than 400 years, the main hall of the archway with colorful porcelain mosaic double dragon Play beads, the image is lifelike. Walking into the temple, you can see the history of the wood from the wood carvings in the house. Many small shops in the village of Taxia are selling Yanggan tea, orange tea and dried persimmon. The price is not expensive. The best thing to eat is the dried persimmon. It is close to the evening from the village of Taxia.

There is also a water town in Weinan? Yes, there is a Taxia Village in Nanjing County, Fujian Province. A river runs through the village. There are more than 50 earth buildings along the river. There are square, round and other shapes. The river has built 11 A small bridge, such as Jiangnan Water Town. Taxia Village is also known as Southern Zhouzhuang. The history of Taxia Village began in 1426, when it was a wasteland. This is a typical Hakka village. The village's alleys are winding and undulating. The village is very quiet and there are not many tourists. The stream is flowing cheerfully, the water is not deep, and the village is located between the two mountains. Before the founding of the People's Republic, there were only three simple wooden bridges in the village, which would be destroyed when there was a flood. Later, with the support of overseas Chinese, 11 cement bridges were built in the village. This village is also a famous hometown of overseas Chinese. The earliest earth building in the village is called Fuxing Building. It was built in the Ming Dynasty Chongzhen four years (1631). Later, dozens of earth buildings were built successively, arranged along the mountain stream, tall and magnificent, magnificent. After the end of the Qing Dynasty, due to the limitation of geographical environment, the Zhang family members built a single-story civil and brick-wood structure on the open space along the banks of the river, forming a small building with high and low layout. Wonderful landscape. The alleys in the village are winding around like a labyrinth. The cobblestone trails are rounded by the footprints of centuries-old people. The rain is light and smoke, giving off a soft luster.