Located in the mountainous region of Fujian Province, China, the Fujian Tulou (土楼) represents an extraordinary blend of architectural innovation, cultural resilience, and communal living. These traditional Hakka walled villages, constructed from the 12th to the 20th century, showcase the Hakka people’s ingenuity in creating robust, multifunctional spaces that cater to both defensive and social needs.
Fujian Tulou Technical Information
- Architects: Unknown
- Location: Fujian Province, China
- Primary Materials:
- Outer Walls: Clay, earth, lime, stone
- Inner Structure: Bamboo
- Adhesive Additives: Sticky rice and brown sugar mixture
- Project Year:12th Century to 20th Century
- Photographs: © Motohiro Sunouchi, See Caption Details
The Fujian Tulou are exceptional examples of a building tradition and function, exemplifying a particular type of communal living and defensive organization in harmonious relationship with their environment.
– The UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Fujian Tulou Photographs
Historical Context and Evolution
The Fujian Tulou’s inception dates back to the Northern Song dynasty around 1120, during a period marked by conflict and mass migration from northern provinces. The Hakka refugees, seeking safety and community, established these distinctive earthen structures in Fujian. Initially, these buildings were modest, accommodating multiple families and fostering a strong sense of community among the displaced Hakka people. Over centuries, particularly during the Ming Dynasty, Tulou architecture evolved to incorporate educational and other communal functions, reflecting Hakka society’s growing complexity and sophistication.
Architectural Features and Construction Techniques
A Tulou’s structure exemplifies vernacular architecture, utilizing locally sourced materials such as clay, earth, lime, and stone. The walls, up to 3 meters thick at the base, tapering to about 1.5 meters at the top, provide formidable insulation and defense. The inclusion of sticky rice and brown sugar in the construction mix enhances the wall’s durability and adhesion. Internally, bamboo arranged vertically offers structural support. The thick transverse earth walls serve as fire barriers, while the rooftops, unified with tiles, overlook spacious courtyards that form the heart of these communities.
Community and Defensive Design
Tulou’s design embodies a dual purpose: defense and community living. These structures could house up to 800 people, offering equal living spaces to all families, thus fostering a sense of equality and shared responsibility. The inward-facing walls are richly decorated and feature numerous openings, promoting a vibrant communal atmosphere centered around courtyards used for markets, educational activities, and ancestor commemoration. In contrast, the exterior walls are stark and fortified, with minimal openings to deter invaders, reflecting the tumultuous history of the Hakka people.
Typological Diversity and Adaptation
Over time, Tulou architecture diversified into various shapes, including square (fanglou 方楼), circular (yuanlou 圆楼), oval, hexagonal, and even half-moon configurations. Each form had distinct advantages: while square Tulous were the earliest, offering straightforward construction, the circular ones enhanced community coherence and ventilation. These typologies allowed the Hakka people to adapt their dwellings to different environmental and social needs, ensuring their longevity and functional versatility.
Cultural and Historical Significance
The clusters of Tulous, like the Tianluokeng and Chuxi clusters, are iconic, reflecting the adaptability and unity of the Hakka communities. These clusters, often comprising a mix of shapes and sizes, create a cohesive yet diverse architectural landscape. Their historical importance is highlighted by the anecdotal Cold War incident where the CIA misidentified Tulou clusters as missile silos, underscoring their unique and unfamiliar form to outsiders.
Architectural Parallels
Interestingly, the architectural organization of Tulous shares similarities with Louis Kahn’s research on Scottish castles, particularly in the use of reinforced outer walls and communal inner spaces. Despite the distinct cultural contexts, this parallel underscores a universal architectural approach to fortification and community life.
Fujian Tulou Plans
Fujian Tulou Image Gallery
Notes & Additional Credits
- Knapp, R. G. (2000). China’s Old Dwellings. University of Hawaii Press.
- Liu, K. (2014). Hakka Tulou: Rural Architecture of the Chinese Hakka. McFarland & Company.
- Xu, Q., & Zhang, L. (2016). The Living Heritage of Hakka Tulou: A Tradition in Transition. Springer.
