Fujian Tulous, China
Masterpiece of Rammed Earth Architecture
Magnificent examples of the unique Tulou architecture in Fujian.
Fujian Tulou is a unique Chinese multi-story rammed earth architectural form of the Hakka and Minnan people in Fujian Province, China, built for communal living and defense. The literal translation of the term “tulou” is “earthen building,” and there are about 3000 tulou located in southwestern Fujian province. These are mostly located in the mountainous regions of Longyan City and Zhangzhou City precincts and were built between the 12th and the 20th centuries.
The Chinese State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH) has identified many of the Fujian tulous as a National Cultural Heritage Protection Unit. Six tulou clusters and four tulou structures, comprising 46 tulou structures were inscribed in 2008 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Shengwu lou, located in Pinghe County, which also houses Zhuangshang Dalou, the largest known Fujian tulou, and Juening lou, the largest known circular Fujian tulou, was one that was not included in the UNESCO inscription.
Polychrome paintings, clay sculptures, and woodcarvings can be seen inside the building, door and window panels, and walls and roof tiles. The building contains more than 600 pieces of carved wood elements, each featuring a unique design, and more than 100 pieces of clay sculpture and wall paintings. Shengwu lou has been described as “the most exquisite tulou for its decorative arts” by Chinese tulou scholar Mr. Huang Hanmin.
