Structural features
Earth buildings are made of raw soil, mixed with lime, fine sand, glutinous rice, brown sugar, bamboo chips, wooden strips, etc., which are repeatedly kneaded, pressed and rammed. It has the characteristics of living together, anti-theft, earthquake prevention, animal prevention, fire prevention, moisture prevention, ventilation and lighting, warm in winter and cool in summer. Earth buildings are generally three to five stories high, with a kitchen on the first floor, a warehouse on the second floor and a living room above the third floor, which can accommodate 2 to 7 people. Tulou originated from barracks, castles and cottages in Chen Yuanguang during the opening of Zhangzhang in the Tang Dynasty, and it is the product of the special social environment of "the entry and exit of foreign bandits and the infighting of thieves" in southern Fujian since the Tang Dynasty. Zhangzhou has the largest number of earth buildings: * * * more than 8.
main features
The tallest earth building-Changjiao and Guilou. It was built in the 1th year of Yongzheng in Qing Dynasty (1732), and it has been more than 2 years since then. It has 5 floors, 21.5 meters high, 28 rooms on each floor and 14 rooms on each floor. This building uses 22 Chinese fir columns with a diameter of 2 cm and 78 beams with a diameter of 65 cm. Surprisingly, this building was built on a swamp without a pile foundation, just like a big ship floating on the sea, which still stands tall after more than 2 years.
the largest earth building-shuyang shunyu building. Built in 1937, the verandah is 86 meters in diameter, with 72 rooms on each floor, 288 rooms on the fourth floor, and 8 rooms in the building, with 368 rooms. Backed by mountains and water, it is magnificent and has the reputation of "king among kings".
the smallest earth building-nankeng cuilin building. The inner wall is only 9 meters in diameter, with 36 rooms on 3 floors.
The best preserved earth building-Meilin Huaiyuan Building. It was built in the first year of Xuantong in Qing Dynasty (199), with a diameter of 38 meters, a height of 4 floors and 14.5 meters, and 136 rooms. Carved beams and painted buildings in the building are in pairs, which is memorable to read. At the core, the "Sishi Room" is the place where family children study. It is exquisite and delicate, simple and natural, and it seems that there is a sound of reading. This is a double-ring round earth building with the most exquisite construction technology and the best protection.
the most peculiar tulou-tianluokeng tulou group. It is composed of a square earth building (Buyun Building), an oval earth building (Wenchang Building) and three round earth buildings (Hechang Building, Zhenchang Building and Ruiyun Building). It is the most exquisite combination group in the earth buildings, with reasonable layout, decent density and patchwork. It overlooks the blooming plum blossoms and looks like Potala Palace at the foot of the mountain.