Hakka Earthen Buildings are mountainous village residences of the Hakka people found mainly in the Yongding area of China. More than 4,360 buildings built in both round (360) and square (4,000) architectural form can be found in this area. Of these two different types of buildings, the Round Earthen Buildings are a special kind of Hakka traditional architecture with remarkable features.

Composed of two or three circular walls located one within another, the Round Earthen Buildings are deceptively large and multifunctional. The very outer circular wall of these buildings reaches ten meters into the air and has four different floors. Inside the outer circular walls more than 100 rooms can be found, including a kitchen and dining room on the first floor, a storage warehouse on the second floor, and bedrooms on the third and fourth floors.

Inside the inner circular walls of the Round Earthen Building a dazzling 350 rooms can be found complete with bathrooms, water wells, and other necessary equipment for everyday living. Among these many rooms, multiple guest rooms, ancestor halls, and communal areas for special events such as funerals, marriages, and other celebrations are scattered from the far reaches to the very center of the building.

These unique designs of Hakka Earthen Buildings were built with the original function of defense against enemy invasion. Because of there thick walls and other strategic features, the buildings are also quakeproof, fireproof, and near theft-proof works of architectural art.

Besides these accomplishments, the well-ventilated Hakka Earthen Buildings have the feature of staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer, providing a comfortable place for visitors who want to come and experience the Hakka culture.

Name:Xiamen Hakkas Earthen Buildings (kejia Tulou)
City:Xiamen
Address:Southwest of Xiamen
Admission:CNY50

This article was posted on 2007-08-22
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