A Fujian mountain city famed for the Tianluokeng 'four dishes one soup' tulou cluster and the Hakka earthen fortresses.
Longyan in western Fujian is Hakka country, home to some of the most photogenic tulou — the Tianluokeng cluster of four round and one square earth towers is the icon.
The region is also dotted with revolutionary sites and forested peaks.
Here are the highlights worth your time in Longyan.
The famous cluster of 4 round + 1 square towers; best from the viewing platform.
¥90The 'earth building king' — Chengqi Lou, a huge round fort.
¥50Context on Hakka communal life.
FreeLongyan has its own kitchen — here are the dishes to try.
A Hakka classic.
Longyan's thin rice noodles.
Soft tofu dumplings.
Highland green tea.
Small-city evenings.
Quiet nights inside earth towers.
Snacks and tea.
Longyan Station on the high-speed line; ~1.5h from Xiamen, ~3h from Guangzhou.
Xiamen (XMN) or Longyan's small airport.
Buses to Nanjing/Yongding (~1.5h).
DiDi and minibuses.
Where you stay shapes the trip. Three good bases:
Sleep in a round earth house.
Central base.
Near the big towers.
Tulou and Hakka-culture travellers, often paired with Xiamen.
