Hakka Culture Village of Yongding
Hakka Culture Village of Yongding
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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4.5
37 reviews
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Ozjane
Hawkesbury Valley, Australia301 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
A worthwhile trip from Xiamen, nice to leave the city and to get into the rural and semi rural areas. We had a private guide and driver. Expressway for about an hour or so, then a highway, then single lane through the mountains. Lots of small villages in valleys, mountains between villages. it took about 3 hours getting there and close to 4 coming back - because it was twilight and difficult to drive.
For that reason I strongly recommend an overnight stay. We left Xiamen around 8.30 am and returned about 9 pm and felt rushed all day. BUT do make the trip!
The buildings are wonderfully designed and go back a thousand years, though the ones we see today are between 100-200 years old. They are, obviously, round with 2-4 floors of bedrooms above the main part of the building. The ground floor has communal living areas, a temple, and usually a primary school as the Hakka are known for their learning and success in education. The first we see has over 200 rooms. Each 'house' belongs to an extended family, or a clan. In some cases there are several houses in a small compound.
The house itself is built of rammed earth with the base built of river stones - up to the highest level of the flooded river. So cool in summer, warmer in winter.
The first few we see are still partly inhabited, though as younger people seek their fortunes elsewhere, the feeling is that no new houses will be built and many will continue to be vacant. We saw the Lin Family Temple with many stone pillars commemorating the successes of overseas Lin family members.
The entry is a Tourist Centre with all mod cons including decent toilets. Then there is a long'ish walk toward the houses themselves. This took some time but it was lovely walking along the river.
From there we drove another 15 minutes or so to a village set in fields with a few modern houses and a fabulous restored tulou. It is not lived in and is a museum. It turned out to be a good idea to see the inhabited first then go to the museum so we could walk around freely and examine the rooms in detail. It is set in a small village surrounded by farms and while a long walk from the road where we had to park and a long uphill climb back, definitely worth the visit.
Highly recommend the tulou houses and villages for a glimpse of old China and an experience of rural communities.
For that reason I strongly recommend an overnight stay. We left Xiamen around 8.30 am and returned about 9 pm and felt rushed all day. BUT do make the trip!
The buildings are wonderfully designed and go back a thousand years, though the ones we see today are between 100-200 years old. They are, obviously, round with 2-4 floors of bedrooms above the main part of the building. The ground floor has communal living areas, a temple, and usually a primary school as the Hakka are known for their learning and success in education. The first we see has over 200 rooms. Each 'house' belongs to an extended family, or a clan. In some cases there are several houses in a small compound.
The house itself is built of rammed earth with the base built of river stones - up to the highest level of the flooded river. So cool in summer, warmer in winter.
The first few we see are still partly inhabited, though as younger people seek their fortunes elsewhere, the feeling is that no new houses will be built and many will continue to be vacant. We saw the Lin Family Temple with many stone pillars commemorating the successes of overseas Lin family members.
The entry is a Tourist Centre with all mod cons including decent toilets. Then there is a long'ish walk toward the houses themselves. This took some time but it was lovely walking along the river.
From there we drove another 15 minutes or so to a village set in fields with a few modern houses and a fabulous restored tulou. It is not lived in and is a museum. It turned out to be a good idea to see the inhabited first then go to the museum so we could walk around freely and examine the rooms in detail. It is set in a small village surrounded by farms and while a long walk from the road where we had to park and a long uphill climb back, definitely worth the visit.
Highly recommend the tulou houses and villages for a glimpse of old China and an experience of rural communities.
Written 18 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arie B
Beijing, Beijing, China179 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
The Hakka Village is one of the highlights of Fujian province in China there are a few villages in the same area, these are round buildings, the outside wall is made from straw and clay and yellow painted, the structure of the buildings is made from heavy wooden piles, many families are living here together as a community. The special Hakka food is very delicious, Recommended!
Written 25 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
globetrotter5981
Kreuzlingen, Switzerland219 contributions
June 2011 • Friends
Although the Hakka village (though there are several) are on the UNESCO protected cultural sites list, it is not widely pubiscised, and even less widely marketed as a tourist attraction - primarily, because of a diabolically poor, and mismanaged tourist information service. Notwithstanding, and as a western visitor, you are best advised to hire your own car and driver to take you there..Most better hotels can organise this and, even though it might cost you as much as 1000RMB it's worth it. The village(s) are primarily comprised of circular houses, with circular courtyards and which, can be up to 5 levels high. This form of architecture, offered migrants from the northern regions best protection, they also allowed family clans to live in reasonable safety within the walls of their own enclosure. Most of the buildings we visited had been built in the 1930s whereby their construction had begun in 1900. Although I am led to believe that this form of architecture has its roots several centuries previous, I had not found anything of significance to support this. The village in question can be freely accessed through an enormous information centre and car / bus park. Do not look for any information at the centre beyond buying an entry ticket (approx 170rmb per person) because you wont find any! People actually still live in these houses, and peddle their local wares - dried fruit, tobacco, vegetables. Everything else ie, souvenirs, are the usual hang on the wall mass produced junkets found elsewhere, even in your local Asian shop. It's worth visiting just to see, and take things as they are...enjoy the beautiful countryside, and take everything else with a pinch of salt.
Written 21 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer C
Xiamen, China9 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
The prince of Hakka Houses, the smallest Hakka House of Yongding County, Five Phoenix House are all here in this village. Unfortunately, as the first hakka village to open to the tourists, it's the most touristy village. Chuxi Village, Nanxi Village, Hekeng Village are better in this aspect.
Feel free to ask me more questions about Hakka Houses, I have toured many hakka villages.
Feel free to ask me more questions about Hakka Houses, I have toured many hakka villages.
Written 23 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom G
Henderson, NV27 contributions
June 2018 • Couples
It's quite a haul from Xiamen (over 2 hours). It's not a big complex and unless Hakka villages is your interest this trip might not be worth the time. Walking was easy, it was about 90 degrees and nothing is air conditioned. Small river and plenty of shade. There are a lot of shops but we found the high pressure sales efforts seemed to be less here.
Written 5 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ongaiai
Hong Kong, China113 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
Thoroughly enjoyed the visit into the earthern castle, as other than marveling the unusual architecture, we also spend time buying local produce from the local farmers selling ginger, ribena flowers, persimmons, pomelo, local tea, etc. You could also get glimpses of the local way of life, which is probably unchanged for centuries, when you spend time walking through the village which is serene and beautiful with many delightful sights to snap photos at.
Written 17 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linatmelb74
Richmond, Australia102 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Finally I've made it to this UNESCO World heritage site of Tulou in Yong Ding, China. We drove there from Meizhou, which took approx. 2 hours.
A very clever and practical design and construction to house and protect the Hakka clans.
We visited the King of Tulou and spent 3 hours walking from one to the next Tulou to learn about the amazing constructions in this village. All the buildings are still occupied by local Hakka villagers. We stopped by our guide's home, to have some tea (they support the families by growing mainly tea, cigarettes) and which was much needed before going out again. Inside the Tulou are much cooler and the tea are great as well! No obligation to buy, but I did as they were so good!
For those who are less inclined to walk, you can take a taxi which only cost between RM 10-20, one way.
On our way back we stopped in a service town, 5-10km to have beef meatball soup (the best I've had to date), stir fry bitter melon with beef and kangkoon for lunch. The area specialities are beef and duck. Yet another great local cuisine!
A very clever and practical design and construction to house and protect the Hakka clans.
We visited the King of Tulou and spent 3 hours walking from one to the next Tulou to learn about the amazing constructions in this village. All the buildings are still occupied by local Hakka villagers. We stopped by our guide's home, to have some tea (they support the families by growing mainly tea, cigarettes) and which was much needed before going out again. Inside the Tulou are much cooler and the tea are great as well! No obligation to buy, but I did as they were so good!
For those who are less inclined to walk, you can take a taxi which only cost between RM 10-20, one way.
On our way back we stopped in a service town, 5-10km to have beef meatball soup (the best I've had to date), stir fry bitter melon with beef and kangkoon for lunch. The area specialities are beef and duck. Yet another great local cuisine!
Written 24 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robyn B
Melbourne, Australia19 contributions
July 2015
After a 3.5 hour drive from Xiamen, we were not disappointed. Very few tourists about and it felt like we were the only ones there. The combination of remarkable circular structures scattered throughout the countryside and the delightful scenery, added a whole new dimension to our understanding and enjoyment of China. The realisation that the Hakka people still live there added to the fascination. A very long day with 7 hours driving and 3-4 hours walking, but well worth it.
Written 28 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Celinechan
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia266 contributions
Sept 2012 • Family
I was 'home' on a village trip to visit what remains from the bloodline of my forefathers and it brought me to this village of Yong Ding. Yong Ding is a village where Hakkas live (we're normal chinese who speak Hakka). The famous Hakka Village that i visited was simply breathtaking. Its made of earth and most of the buildings are round. While the facade is earth, the interior is made from wooden structures. There are a few circles within this circular home. The outer and biggest circle is usually the living quarters while the inner ones are kitchens, bathrooms, libraries and community hall. Different earth buildings are owned by different clans or surnames. It was certainly like nothing i have ever seen before. Worth visiting if you are in Xiamen and have a couple of days to spare.
ps. there is no wheelchair/stroller access because the front of the building is surrounded by stones. Please see pictures.
ps. there is no wheelchair/stroller access because the front of the building is surrounded by stones. Please see pictures.
Written 26 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cattyrawrs
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia194 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Though we had a bad weather yesterday - raining heavily and all, we did have a good visit to the beautiful hakka culture village. It is a beautiful place with well preserved hakka culture. Good for people who love to know more about histories and cultural knowledge. U will be astonished by the unique architecture which doesnt consist a single nail in it but yet it stands still for more than 700years. Exquisite!
Written 30 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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