The most iconic tulou view in China: a cluster of five earthen roundhouses — four circles around a square — nestled in a green valley in Nanjing County, nicknamed 'four dishes and a soup' for its layout seen from above.
History & culture
Built by the Huang clan from the 17th century onward, the Tianluokeng group grew into its famous composition over generations, and anchors the Zhangzhou portion of the UNESCO-listed Fujian tulou.
What to see & do
- ◆The hilltop viewpoint over the five roundhouses
- ◆Walking among the earthen buildings below
- ◆Nearby Yuchang Lou, a leaning ancient tulou
- ◆Taxia village and its riverside ancestral hall
- ◆Terraced tea and rice fields
What to eat
- ●Minnan-style braised pork rice
- ●Mountain bamboo shoots and free-range chicken
- ●Local rice wine
Getting there
In Nanjing County, ~2–3h by car from Xiamen or Zhangzhou; usually visited on a tour or with a chartered driver covering several clusters.
Avoid the pitfalls
- The classic photo is from the hilltop viewpoint — don't miss the climb up.
- It's a long day trip from the coast; an overnight in Taxia village rewards early risers.
- Roundhouses are inhabited — keep noise down and ask before entering homes.
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