In the 1980s western spy satellites circling the earth sent back images from a mountainous area of eastern China that showed buildings that were interpreted as the possible location of Chinese missile launching bases.
Agents posing as tourists were sent to investigate and rather embarrassingly discovered that the buildings, large earth structures, both round and square, were the homes of the Hakka people. Some of these buildings date from over 700 years ago but many were of more recent construction.
In the past few years the Chinese authorities have completed the construction of a sealed road into the Hudong Mountains making it easier for tourists to see the buildings and the fascinating lifestyle of the tribespeople.
From the port city of Xiamen it is now a three, rather than 8-hour trip initially through rich farming land (bananas, mushrooms, rice, orchids) with finally about an hour on a winding mountain road . The journey initially crosses the long Hiacang suspension bridge from Xiamen to a new industrial area of the same name where huge industrial developments are taking place – they seem to build the plants first and then invite the tenants in.
Approaching the Hakka villages the road winds through rugged mountain territory, the hillsides covered with lush tea plantations.
From a viewpoint above you look down on what are known as tolou, unique rammed earth buildings, of Zhencheng Lou village of the Hakka tribe. This village contains four round and one square building.
Hakka village houses from above
Within each of these structures extended families live. Up to 200 rooms in buildings ranging from 3 to 5 storeys with dining and kitchen facilities on the ground floor, warehouses on the second and bedrooms and guest rooms on the higher floors, and an ancestral area in the central courtyard for holding ceremonies and celebrations. Outside each building and on low walls fruit, corn and rice were drying on large mats.
fruits and corn drying outside houses
One old lady proudly showed me her small bedroom on the top floor of one of the buildings, a room with her private possessions and a wonderful view over the surrounding countryside.
Close to Zhencheng Lou village are other similar villages. One on a small stream had only one of the large round buildings but along the side of the stream members of different generations were relaxing discussing the day’s events, tea was drying laid out on the pavement and men fished in the waters of the stream. A peaceful scene that I am sure had not changed over many years.
Related posts:
-
I’d have to say, you chose your words very well. The ideas you presented are well placed.
-
This is by far the best looking site I’ve seen. It was completely easy to navigate and it was easy to look for the information I needed. Fantastic layout and great content!
-
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
-
I dont really know what youre talking about here. This cant be the only way to think about this can it? It seems like you know a lot about the subject, so why not explore it more? Make it more accessible to everyone else who may not agree with you? Youd get a lot more people behind this if you just stopped making general statements.
-
I was just examining your post it is extremely well crafted, What i’m searching on the net looking for exactly how to begin this blog thing and your site is almost certainly very professional.
-
Super blog! I actually love how it is easy on my eyes and also the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your rss feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
-
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
-
Hi. I actually enjoyed reading your writing!. Top notch written content. I might recommend you to submit articles a bit more frequently. This way, having such type of a useful site I think you could rank better in the search engines
-
I will visit your blog regularly for some latest Information.
-
love this site – it’s a great blog – may i suggest you get an rss feed.
-
Hey – nice blog, just looking around some blogs, seems a pretty nice platform you are using. I’m currently using Wordpress for a few of my sites but looking to change one of them over to a platform similar to yours as a trial run. Anything in particular you would recommend about it?
-
All I can say is keep it up. This blog is so necessary in a time when everyone just wants to talk about how many people someones cheated on their wife with. I mean, thanks for bringing intelligence back to the web, its been sorely missed. Great stuff. Please keep it coming!
-
The Internet is like alcohol in some sense. It accentuates what you would do anyway. If you want to be a loner, you can be more alone. If you want to connect, it makes it easier to connect.
-
Mate! This blog site is awesome! How do you make it look this good .
-
this is a smart site. I mean it. You have so much knowledge about this issue, and so much passion. You also know how to make people rally behind it, obviously from the responses. Youve got a design here thats not too flashy, but makes a statement as big as what youre saying. Great job, indeed.
-
This post appears to get a great deal of visitors. How do you promote it? It gives a nice individual spin on things. I guess having something useful or substantial to say is the most important thing.
-
i was reading throught some of the posts and i identify them to be very interesting. pathetic my english is not exaclty the really best. would there be anyway to transalte this into my argot, spanish. it would really better me a lot. since i could approach the english language to the spanish language.
-
I revelled reading it. I require to read more on this issue…I am admiring the time and effort you put in your blog, because it is obviously one great place where I can find lot of reusable info.. Anunturi Romania
-
thanx joe, cheapest nolvadex, buy cheap pills online,
-
You have a lot of beneficial material throughout this page. I’m subscribing to your rss feed.
-
Express gratitude associated with tips and tricks brilliant judge; this is whatever part which is gets everybody nevertheless out afternoon.I have forever for life expanded been recently willing near the actual web-site suitable after I’ve witnessed with reference to why these within the finish friend and as well as appears to be seriously happy any was a student in your status to get this tool practical after looking for temporarly while. Being a familiar tumblr, Supporter and highly pleased to discover aside the crowds completing gumption plus posting over the vicinity. We desired to research to provide excellent thanks during your post currently comparatively fighting, and also lots of world-wide-web copy writers seriously don’t get hold of the credit rating them to should currently have. I am going to advantageous View come back yet again and can motorboat on a couple of the organization representatives.
-
How are you ?, or perhaps this can separate theme nevertheless , ok, enough fooling, we perusing as much as yuor web blog and so it styles very definitely cool. I’m creating a brand-new oppinion as well as the experiencing struggles to get it back look great, once which i little one particular that i screw it up. Exactly how much were understand it to build your websites? Could perhaps an expert much like me no familiarity do it now, not to mention add the ancestry write for websites without having endangering the vehicle just what?
-
1. Excellent post it is really. We have been searching for this information.
-
Radialabs most likely the soundest and the majority capable anti-aging and consequently anti-wrinkle product or service ahead of released. Such top quality balm and cranberry motor oil and as well as imperative nutritional vitamin supplements lend marvelous hydrating feel about your skin area. An additional forceful elements to your unit can consist of Saccharide Isolerate, your own offshoot ture of mushroom referred to as Agaricus Bisponus Experiment with Glucane and as a consequence Cacao, Shea & Pear butter. All those added an extra contents increase the risk for cream that invincible recipe ingredients solving acquiring and therefore supplying you with extraordinarily superb looking around surface of the skin
-
very nice info keep it up thanks
-
Great blog you have here. So many blogs like yours cover subjects that aren’t found in magazines. I don’t know how we got on 15 years ago with just print media.
-
create really one of those people genuinely stuffed with misinformation use some of want to include just in case you don’t have
-
Write a post about leaving comments, tramadol pills,
-
Looking forward to then, herbata zielona,
-
complete lot you said is correct, however so much upsides. Like, you in all probability’t be fired.
-
It is unusual for me to discover something on the internet that’s as entertaining and fascinating as what you have got here. Your page is lovely, your graphics are great, and what’s more, you use reference that are relevant to what you’re saying. You’re certainly one in a million, well done!
-
Damn, nice site. I came across this on Ask Jeeves, and I am really happy that I did. I will definately be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the post and bring a bit more to the table, but am just reading as much info as I can at the moment.
Thanks
-
When researching houses for sale when it comes to San Antonio, you’ve got to be experienced in the art work created by discussions.
-
Great blog. Many blogs like this cover subjects that can’t be found in print. I don’t know how we got by 12 years ago with just print media.
-
I AM SICK OF THIS, soma with no prescription,
-
I’ve not drawn the blog overview yet. lengthy as you stay subscribed, you’ll be in with an opportunity to win a assessment weekly!
-
are valued, it creates a culture of interactivity and gives the impression to other readers that your comments se, buy duloxetine,
-
An amazing share, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact purchased me lunch because I found it for him. smile. So let me reword that: Thanks for the treat! But yeah Thank you for taking the time to talk about this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more info? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog!
-
Great blog you have here. Many websites like this cover subjects that can’t be found in print. I don’t know how we got by 15 years ago with just newspapers and magazines.
-
In this site http://bit.ly/fTCK2s?=ft5 you can find the answer to receive twitter website traffic
-
Wonderful page! This is a enormously insightful blogging site which you have.
-
good quality post thanks
-
Keep this up! Gotta say I love reading your articles. Thanks
-
thang is that even english?, jazda lotusem,
-
It’s great when i stumble on a tremendous article like this. Getting a bit weary of the rubbish posts a few writers write on their blogs. Continue the good work. You have a regular reader now
-
Great blog. So many blogs like yours cover subjects that aren’t found in magazines. I don’t know how we got on 10 years ago with just magazines and newspapers.
-
You’re not the regular blog writer, man. You definitely have something powerful to contribute to the web. Such a special blog. I’ll be back for more.
-
http://herbalsexpills.net/natural sex pills
-
Finden Sie günstige Ferienhäuser
-
2. Outstanding story once again! Thank you.
-
This blog site is pretty cool. How can I make one like this !
-
I know this is off topic but I wanna share this peice of info with everyone I can; do not believe in psychics! I know it sounds crazy but my heart was broken today as one tried to bring back memories of a lost love one. He was so convincing it’s disgusting! They are scammers! Anyway great site, but more content please!
-
After study a few of the articles on your website since yesterday, and I really like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark internet site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my website as well and let me know your opinion.
-
It had been a while since I visited website with such high quality information. Thansk rather a lot for the useful info
-
Wow, that’s an extremely nice read!
-
yesss very thanks man i love this site
-
Hi I discovered this website by mistake when i was searching yahoo with this issue, I’ve got to say your internet site is really helpful Also i love the theme, its amazing!. I dont have a whole lot of time for it to read all your post at the moment but I’ve got bookmarked it plus signed up for your RSS feeds. We are back in a week or so. thank you for an incredible site.
-
I’d been very pleased to discover this website.I wanted to we appreciate you a great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and that i maybe you’ve bookmarked to check out new belongings you post.
-
thanks good post
-
You completed several good points there. I did specific searches around the issue and located almost all people should go together with using your blog.
-
I have been checking out many of your articles and i must say pretty nice stuff. I will surely bookmark your blog.
-
Hey I found this website to be actually attention-grabbing! Bookmarked!
-
It is unusual for me to find something on the cyberspace that’s as entertaining and intriguing as what you’ve got here. Your page is sweet, your graphics are outstanding, and what’s more, you use source that are relevant to what you are talking about. You’re definitely one in a million, keep up the good work!
-
Well I sincerely enjoyed reading it. This article provided by you is very constructive for correct planning.
-
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have made in composing this blog. I am hoping the same top-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good model of it.
-
Great blog you have here. Many blogs like this cover subjects that aren’t found in magazines. I don’t know how we got on 12 years ago with just magazines and newspapers.
-
Great blog. So many blogs like this cover subjects that can’t be found in print. I don’t know how we got by 12 years ago with just print media.
-
Great blog. Many blogs like this cover subjects that just aren’t covered by magazines. I don’t know how we got on 12 years ago with just print media.
-
Great blog. Many blogs like this cover subjects that can’t be found in print. I don’t know how we got on 10 years ago with just print media.
-
tried this stuff after using cyclone and heard good things about it. doesn t work at all!!! definitely going back to using cyclone, it may cost more but works a hell of a lot better.
-
You’re not the average blog writer, man. You certainly have something powerful to add to the web. Such a wonderful blog. I’ll be back for more.
-
great thanks \o/
-
Hello there, might be genuinely is incorrect point however it in any case, appears scouting near your web site plus it occurs relatively very much smart. My organization is building a state of the art weblogblog site and consequently troubled to get it back look good, everytime my family and i touch a little something my family and i screw it up. Ask yourself how laborious was seen as the actual to start a site? May perhaps a man like me not having adventure offer a lending product, and even inject house modify rankings need to have of wrecking this method every time?
-
Keep this up! Gotta say I love reading your articles. Thanks
-
Your RSS feed doesn’t work in my browser (google chrome) how can I fix it?
-
shoudlnt i try it?, get seroquel online,
-
hjzyjgjug ysguhb
-
Yet another particularly helpful entry. If you may possibly please update us about this story, that would definitely be wonderful.
-
Definition: 1. addiction to alcohol: dependence on alcohol consumption to an extent that adversely affects social and work-related functioning and produces Alcoholism
-
I think you have produced many rather interesting points. Not as well many people would actually think about this the direction you just did. I am very impressed that there is so much about this subject that has been uncovered and you made it so nicely, with so considerably class. Brilliant one, man! Very special things right here.
-
Using economic state like you’ll find it, I chose to prepare methods for filing lack of employment positive factors. My thoughts ended up being mention what sort of lack of employment computer system occurs, exactly what the normal is designed getting payments from because rejecting remarks, and next include content totally from acquire have by what the perfect strategies but also every day blunders possess been in declaring jobless extra benefits.
-
This is excellent! How did you learn this stuff?
-
Oh my goodness! an impressive post man. Thank you But I am experiencing trouble with your RSS feed. Fail to subscribe to it. Does anybody experiencing similar rss feed issue? Anyone who can help kindly reply. Thankx
-
I’m certain this might be amazingly helpful folks blog on day by day – all of these look like pretty excellent ideas for learn how to spend a while together with your site.
-
I am linking this webpage from my private weblog . this has all the usefull information necessary.
-
Thank you, I have recently been searching for information about this topic for long time and yours is the best I have discovered so far.
-
Is it fine to insert a portion of this on my personal site if I post a reference point to this web site?
-
Damn, cool site. I came across this on Bing, and I am stoked that I did. I will definately be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the post, but am just reading as much info as I can at the moment.
Regards
-
This is often a wonderful web site, would you be interested in making time for an interview concerning just how you made it? If so e-mail me and my friends!
-
Do this post appear difficult to read on you screen? Think I may have some sort of corruption at this end.
-
If you sent straight to a Toronto Investment Home listing you’ll observe that the best most important name to buy which usually inturn the city you have to remain in. Using more than 5.Solutions hundred many right across Gta your amazing endure functional prepare age, that you think how can enormous a new metropolitan house Greater toronto area really is.
-
This is a truly fabulous good read for me, many thanks to the writer
-
Great blog. Lots of blogs like this cover subjects that can’t be found in print. I don’t know how we got by 12 years ago with just print media.
-
Very good written article. It will be valuable to anyone who utilizes it, including myself. Keep doing what you are doing – i will definitely read more posts.
-
Great blog you have here. Many websites like yours cover subjects that just aren’t covered by magazines. I don’t know how we got on 15 years ago with just print media.
-
Pingback from Facebook The New eMail on 31 December, 2010 at 8:30 pm
-
I am actually trying forward to tomorrow’s article! I like to right here your insides!
-
Great blog you have here. So many websites like this cover subjects that can’t be found in print. I don’t know how we got on 15 years ago with just print media.
Comments are now closed.
98 comments
Trackback link: http://www.cnto.org.au/blog/hakka-village-fujian-province-china/trackback/