Leadership Insights | Illustrated Lectures:Millennium-Old Earth Buildings: Inheriting Ancestral Legacies and Preserving Nostalgia

The Hakka Tulou (“earth building”) construction technique, a unique traditional architectural craftsmanship of Fujian Province, was inscribed on China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2008. The same year, Fujian Tulou, a cluster of buildings constructed with this technique, was designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. Originating in the Song and Yuan dynasties and maturing during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the technique embodies the Hakka people’s ingenuity in adapting to southern mountainous environments and defending against external threats.

At the heart of Tulou buildings lies the integration of rammed earth walls and wooden frameworks. Artisans use natural materials such as red loam, bamboo, wood, sand, and gravel, and employ techniques like layered ramming and staggered joint masonry to create robust walls that can resist earthquakes, fires, and winds. Architecturally, Tulou buildings are mostly circular or square enclosed dwellings with a central axis-symmetrical layout. Internally, they feature ancestral halls, wells, and granaries, accommodating hundreds of residents—a physical manifestation of the Hakka people’s “clan-based communal living” culture. Their sophisticated drainage systems, ventilation and lighting designs, and defensive structures (e.g., watchtowers and gun ports) further showcase the wisdom of ancient artisans.

With the rise of modern architecture, traditional Tulou construction technique once faced the crisis of broken inheritance. In recent years, however, government-led efforts have breathed new life into this heritage through restoration and preservation projects, living inheritance initiatives, and culture-tourism integration. These measures have connected ancient Tulou craftsmanship with contemporary life, cementing its status as a vital carrier of Hakka culture and a treasure in world architectural history.

Today, the fusion of modern construction technology with traditional techniques has preserved Tulou’s architectural essence while enhancing performance in areas like seismic resistance and moisture proofing. The booming Tulou tourism industry not only generates economic benefits for local communities but also raises global awareness of this ancient craft. In addition, its inclusion in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List has spurred unprecedented attention and protection.

It is necessary to safeguard the cultural legacies left by our ancestors, including cultural relics, historical sites, famous cities of historical and cultural significance, ancient towns and villages, historical blocks and buildings, industrial heritage, and intangible cultural heritage.

监制:蔚力

策划:丁素云

文案:杨俊康