Fujian Tulou Museum

Fujian Tulou Museum

The Fujian Tulou Museum is located at No. 1 Longxing Road, Fengcheng Town, Yongding District, Longyan City, Fujian Province, within the Hakka Expo Park. In August 2008, the Fujian Tulou Museum completed its exhibition setup relying on Zhenfu Lou and opened to the public. In September 2008, the Fujian Tulou Museum was officially established as a core project of the Hakka Expo Park and construction began. By the end of 2009, the main structure of the Fujian Tulou Museum (Hakka Expo Park) was completed. In May 2013, the Fujian Tulou Museum was formally established. In January 2015, it was incorporated into the management system of state-owned museums. In September 2018, it was listed as a third-tier national museum in the third batch of such designations.

The entire exhibition of the Fujian Tulou Museum focuses on Fujian tulou, with the basic display themed "The Hakka Dream · The Tulou Sentiment," highlighting the relationship between tulou and the Hakka people, and showcasing the architectural craftsmanship of tulou and the culture surrounding them.

As of 2020, the Fujian Tulou Museum houses a collection of over 10,000 cultural relics/sets, including 1,080 classified as precious relics/sets.

The Fujian Tulou Museum is a thematic museum dedicated to World Heritage Sites, a center for the display, exchange, research, and study of Hakka culture, a base for international cultural exchanges among overseas Chinese in China, and a cross-strait exchange base.

The Fujian Tulou Museum features two permanent basic exhibitions: "The Hakka Dream · The Tulou Sentiment" and "Tulou and Tobacco." The main basic exhibition, titled "The Hakka Dream · The Tulou Sentiment," includes six sections: the Preface Hall, Cultural Treasures, Time-Honored Legacy, Passing the Torch, Hometown in Dreams, and Guarding the Homeland. The entire exhibition uses Fujian tulou as its central theme, emphasizing the relationship between tulou and the Hakka people, showcasing the architectural artistry of tulou and the culture of Hakka tulou, and providing an in-depth interpretation of the evaluation by the World Heritage Committee — “The Fujian Tulou, a unique type of mountain dwelling in the world that combines residential and defensive functions, reflects the deeply rooted Central Plains Confucian tradition of clan-based living and the practical need to unite forces to resist external threats. At the same time, tulou blend with the landscape and harmonize with nature and heaven, serving as models of human habitation.” The museum also hosts a special exhibition on "Tulou and Tobacco," displaying the development of tobacco cultivation and production in Fujian, highlighting the glory of Yongding strip-cut tobacco, and its significant connection to the World Heritage Site of Fujian Tulou (Yongding).

Exhibition Halls

Preface Hall

The preface design incorporates elements from the door axis and door pier of a tulou gate, taking inspiration from the saying “Flowing water does not rot, and a door-hinge is never eaten by worms,” symbolizing that tulou will be passed down through generations and endure forever. It also signifies the hospitality of the Hakka people, who open their doors wide to welcome guests from all over. The background screen complements the door pier and axis, adopting the form of a tulou gate frame and integrating elements such as tulou, the Mother’s Hand of Tulou, the moon, and a waterwheel, emphasizing nostalgia and homesickness while setting the tone for the exhibit's theme — "The Hakka Dream · The Tulou Sentiment."

Section 1: "Cultural Treasures"

This section illustrates that Fujian tulou are beautiful homesteads, divided into two units showing their structural beauty, decorative beauty, and natural beauty from the outside in.

Section 2: "Time-Honored Legacy"

This part displays the formation of the Hakka ethnic group and the emergence, development, and spread of tulou, as well as the construction techniques of tulou. Using cultural relics and documents, it proves that tulou are the result of Hakka people advancing and perfecting the ancient Central Plains rammed earth architectural art.

Section 3: "Passing the Torch"

This section shows how the Hakka people created new lives within tulou, forming a unique Hakka culture. Tulou are not only living spaces but also spiritual homes for the Hakka people.

Section 4: "Hometown in Dreams"

This section highlights the descendants of tulou who have migrated overseas, showcasing their contributions to the local economy, culture, and more, as well as their deep-rooted familial and patriotic sentiments of honoring ancestors and staying true to their roots.

Section 5: "Guarding the Homeland"

This section presents the process of applying for World Heritage status for tulou and the subsequent efforts in further preserving, protecting, and utilizing tulou after the successful designation.

To fully showcase tulou elements, the Fujian Tulou Museum’s exterior adopts the majestic and exquisite design of the Five Phoenix Tower, the most elaborate style of Hakka tulou. The architecture is solemn and elegant, resembling a flying roc spreading its wings. The museum displays a large amount of textual material, models, and photographs about the history, types, and architecture of tulou, systematically introducing the advanced technology and value of Fujian tulou as an architectural feat, and recreating the wisdom of the Hakka ancestors. The exhibition makes full use of display walls, stands, glass cases, landscapes, models, projections, animated diagrams, touch screens, and artistic designs, infusing the form with spiritual meaning and carrying forward Chinese culture. It serves as an important window for promoting outstanding Chinese culture and facilitating international cultural exchanges, as well as a key platform for integrating social resources, leveraging complementary strengths, and jointly conducting cultural exchange activities both domestically and abroad.

The Fujian Tulou Museum is located at No. 1 Longxing Road, Fengcheng Town, Yongding District, Longyan City, Fujian Province, within the Hakka Expo Park.

Further Reading:

· National Second-Class Museum of China