#Fuzhou travel

Nihao! A main purpose in visiting Fuzhou was to make my way to the famous UNESCO Tulou houses that Hakka people lived in. These blocks were built in a circular fashion, were 4-5 levels tall and housed up to 20 families (up to 200 people). There was only one entry-exit for defensive purposes. Since a lot of domestic tourism has risen in this area, the bottom floor where kitchens are, have turned into small markets. You can purchase home-made honey stones (solidified honey) or a chicken dish. Be wary – they may cut and cook the chicken in front of you! The middle

level of these communal living blocks are storage and the top level is living quarters. The top level is the only one with windows on the exterior. What I would do differently next time is allow for one night and two days travelling to the tulou. Other than the roundhouses, “3 lanes 7 alleys” is a highlight of a preserved old town with souvenir shops, boutiques and snacks. Skip the Panda World due to small enclosures and instead visit the local parks that are stunning! If you have quite a long time in the area you can also go the natural hot springs – I opted not to because I have plans to go later in my trip. Let me know if you want to know more about anything!

Getting a 3.5 hour fast train to Shanghai goes 300km/h and quite comfortable but bring some earphones to drown out everyone else’s sounds!