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The Hakka Tulou is not just one or two buildings but a collection of 20,000 over Tulous in different clusters and villages, spread over several counties in YongDing, Fujian province, China. It is not a culture that you can see and appreciate over one afternoon, although this seems to be the modus operandi for most international tourists today.

The ideal arrangement is to spend two nights or more in the YongDing region, giving you the time and opportunity to see and understand the Hakka Tulous in greater detail. This will give you the time to see at least 4 tulou clusters or villages, check out the Hakka communal lifestyle, speak to the local Tulou residents, sample local Hakka cuisine and simply enjoy the clean air of the area.

The nearest international airport is located at Xiamen 厦门, which is also one of the largest and modern city in Fujian 福建 province. Xiamen airport is the gateway for both international and domestic flights to Fujian province, China. From Xiamen, it is a 4 to 5 hour drive to YongDing, a county town which serves as the local gateway to the various Hakka Tulou clusters.

You can take a express bus from the Long Distance Bus Station at Hubin Nan Lu(South Hubin Road) in Xiamen itself or you can catch the long distance bus at the airport tour information-counter itself. Make sure the desitination is YongDing or 永定。 Either way, expect a modern air-conditioned bus coach with assigned seats and a fare of RMB60(US$8). The journey from Xiamen to YongDing is about 4-5 hours depending on local road conditions. There is one toilet break along the way.

Alternatively, you can contact a hostel or motel you intend to stay with in YongDing and arrange a private car or van pick-up for you at the airport or at your hotel in Xiamen. Expect to pay up to RMB300(US$37) per person for such an arrangement. This will bring you door to door to your hostel or motel directly.

If you are on the public bus, alight at the local YongDing bus station, and be expected to be surrounded by touts for hotels, Tulous, private cars immediately. Trust none except those that will bring you to the nearest Tulou or hostel for RMB100 (US$12) per car (Note: Not per person) and not anything more.

There are many Tulou clusters or hostel to choose from with the nearest at least a half hour drive from YongDing. It is recommended that you find accommodation first because it can get dark very fast and there are not very many accommodation choices to choose from! Alternatively, you can spend one night in YongDing itself but it is not recommended as there is nothing much to see within YongDing town itself.