Yongding is a county in the south of Fujian province, southeast China, and is known for its impressive Hakka tulou roundhouses. You can get to Yongding from Xiamen and Hong Kong.
Yongding is not far from the town of Longyan in southern Fujian and lies amid some striking countryside. The roundhouses are the main attraction and there are literally thousands of them, with a number of families living inside each fortified compound. Some of the hotels in Yongding are in converted Hakka tulou.
A good thing about a visit to Yongding is that despite the appeal, it is largely devoid of the typical tourist buses and is quite peaceful. However, the tourist infrastructure is limited and English is not widely spoken.
One of the main attractions in Yongding is the Hongkeng Tulou Cluster Scenic Spot. It is a World Heritage site of different-shaped_ tulou_. The Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster is another popular spot, situated as it is on a slope of Hudong Mountain, while Yuchang Earth Building has been occupied for hundreds of years.
Getting There & Away
Xiamen is the main gateway, 150kms to the southeast. Flight time from Shanghai’s airports to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is about 1 hour, 30 minutes. Buses run to Longyan and then Yongding, as well as from Hongkeng (1 hour). Xiamen is accessed via the Longyan-Xiamen highway.
Things to Do
Yongding Attractions
- Hongkeng Tulou Cluster
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This is the main attraction in yongding, which features an array of hakka tulou roundhouses of all shapes and sizes and is a world heritage site.
Side trips from Yongding
- Gulang Yu
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If you are coming in via xiamen city, this interesting nearby island is a car-free place with many historic buildings.