Depart from Xiamen by private car to Nanjing Tulou Cluster and start your cultural exploration. Upon arrival, first visit Hegui Building (also known as Shanjiao Building), built in the 10th year of Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty and the tallest tulou in Nanjing. As its name implies, it advocates the traditional virtue of harmony, exuding peace and calm amid the changing times.
Then head to the banyan trees in Yunshuiyao Ancient Town, where a smooth cobblestone ancient road winds into the distance. Beside the road stands a row of centuries-old two-story brick-wood houses, the old market town of Changjiao.
Next, visit Huaiyuan Building, a well-preserved double-ring circular tulou built by the Jian clan. Its most striking feature is the ancestral hall at the core of the inner courtyard, also the “Sishi Room” where clan children studied. The itinerary includes a complimentary visit to Zhongxing Building (a tulou museum), with VIP access to climb the building for free to observe the internal structure, experience Hakka daily life, and take creative photos from a unique perspective.
After appreciating the tulou architecture, you can participate in optional intangible cultural heritage (ICH) tulou handcraft experiences to feel the Hakka ancestors' construction wisdom. Three options are available:
- Rammed Earth Brick-laying: Learn to fill mixed soil into moulds and tamp firmly with traditional tools under ICH inheritors' guidance, replicating the core tulou construction process.
- ICH Rubbing: Select characteristic patterns (e.g., “Five Fortunes” inspired by Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster), cover the stele template with rice paper, and make a rubbing work to preserve tulou culture and good luck meanings.
- Hand-kneaded Tulou Model Making: Use delicate clay to create your own mini tulou model by outlining contours and carving door/window details, making the tulou memory tangible.
After the experience, travel to Zhangzhou Ancient City, a bustling city centre area integrating historical buildings and traditional cultures, Start a free Citywalk exploration here: wander around to admire well-preserved ancient buildings, or enjoy the optional Nanyin performance. As one of China's oldest music genres with a thousand-year history (known as the “living fossil of Chinese music”), Nanyin inherits the Han Dynasty performance form of “silk and bamboo ensemble with clapper-led singing”. Accompanied by traditional instruments, performers sing classic pieces in ancient Quanzhou dialect in ancient house halls, with elegant and affectionate melodies carrying the legacy of ancient Central Plains music and Hakka homesickness, bringing you a cross-millennium cultural resonance.
Note: Intangible cultural heritage tulou handcraft workshop fee and Nanyin Performance Fee are optional and not included in the tour price. Guests can choose to join these activities for an extra fee, or enjoy a walk and explore the scenery without additional costs.
