'''Youngding County''' is in the south of Fujian Province. It is just to the south east of Longyan. Most visitors come here to see the Hakka <i>tulou</i> or roundhouses.
The countryside is extremely beautiful, and punctuated by many thousands of <i>tulou</i>, a Hakka structure where a number of residences are built inside a single fortified compound. Most of these tulou are still in use, however the area has suffered an extreme population drain as the able-bodied have generally moved to Eastern Coastal cities as migrant workers, leaving behind a population of the very old and the very young. The villages also contain modern housing, and older houses that aren't tulou.
The people in the area are friendly, tourist infrastructure is minimal, and there are no large tour buses - which makes for a very pleasant contrast with other touristed rural areas in China. However, don't expect any English to be spoken, anywhere.
Get in
There are many buses from Xiamen to Yougding passing most of the key sites.
There is a hourly bus from Hongkeng to Yougding(1h) and Longyan(2h).
The nearest train station is in Longyan.
Get around
The best way to see the different tulou is by private taxi or motorbike. Your guesthouse can help organise this for you, or else just walk around and some local will come up offering their service. Price \100 for half day tour.
See
Chuxi Tulou Cluster Scenic Spot.
Hongkeng Tulou Cluster Scenic Spot. ongkeng. 50, students half price. This world heritage site contains some beautiful tulou of all different shapes - around, square, U-shapes. Zhencheng Lou is the highlight and Rusheng Lou is a mini tulou.
Gaobei Tulou Cluster Scenic Spot.
Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster. ianluokeng. 65, students half price. On a slope of the Hudong Mountain, sits five tulou - three circular, one oval and in the middle a square tulou. These were built over 600 years between the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the 1960s. Fee includes entry to Yuchang Earth Building and a local village.
Yuchang Earth Building. Twenty Five generations have lived in this tulou, even though its leaning up to 15 degrees in places.
Itineraries
Buy
Even wanted a mini tulou? Or a tulou in a snow globe? Everything tulou you could imagine is for sale here - keyrings, postcards, pictures, etc.
Eat
Each site has local restaurants so you won't go hungry.
Ke Lai Den Hotel. ongkeng. This place has an English menu.
Sleep
There is accomadation available in each town.
Most of the more touristed Tulous offer simple lodgings, which generally won't provide the basic conveniences and should cost around 30 kuai/night. Hukeng village has several lodgings that are a step up from this, speak basic English, and offer Western food & coffee - try the Fuyu Building Changdi Inn (0597-553-2280). Slightly to the West of Hukeng Village, the Jiang family is very friendly, can arrange a private driver, and offers accommodation in a modern home with electricity, A/C, and a shower, for 40 kuai/night - very little English is spoken (1-39-5905-5897).
Get out
If leaving the area from a village, the bus stations are very informal. Check with locals to make sure you're waiting at the right spot. Alternatively, just flag down the bus as it passes by.
Visit Gulangyu island in Xiamen city - a beautiful car free island full of historic buildings. A great place to relax. About 3-5 hours away.