What makes it even more interesting is that you spoke to people who actually lived there their entire lives. The way they describe their own lives in that place and point out small little things makes the whole place come alive. Much better than having a professional tour guide just giving a talk.
Hmmm....one person catches a cold (or covid), and.... 😧😱😷 But if you needed a cup of sugar, you were all set! Would have been an amazing place to see in its heyday. 👍
I can't believe I live in a time when I can just watch a video about an entire Chinese community and learn about their lifestyle, all in my home in a completely different continent. Thank you for sharing
You do a really excellent work, no prejudice, no political, no commercialism, just pure and honest Chinese people, that’s the real Chinese. I like your videos 😊👍
This was just BEAUTIFUL 😢…an entire community living, supporting and cooking together to benefit one another. As an Indigenous Native American, it sounds Amazing. My Tribe had a historical closeness with the Chinese who came to work on the RR, we traded medicine and other goods with one another prior to the Gold Rush. Bless these elders who remember their ancestors and how they lived. Thanks for sharing this.
I was thinking the same thing, my tribe would line our long houses up in similar ways for similar reasons. if there were a bunch of kids running around on a pepsi high and more loud nonsense going on in the background you coulda told me they were native.
I'm Chinese (by descent) and have always been fascinated by the culture of the Native Americans. I also sympathize with the painful experiences endured by the Native Americans in recent history. It is delightful in this respect that some of you should be attracted to aspects of China's traditional culture. Much appreciation, and best wishes for you and for your people.
@@joriankell1983 Actually there's probably no race that has not been exploited by others at some point in its history. From the 16th to the 18th century Europeans, the British included, were very often abducted by pirates from North Africa and forced to work for Muslim masters as concubines, galley slaves or laborers. Professor Robert Davis from Ohio State University claimed as much.
I second that. I feel like the message we get in the states is that everything is censored and impossible to see anything out of there. I love seeing “real life” even when I travel, so this is right up my alley. I love your impeccable command of English and the casual narration . I will be watching your video of the travels and less than a calendar year, I hope, and Barry will tell us a little bit about you.
@booksale5 Who's censored? Please, tell me. Here's my take. Our Chinese "Great Firewall" is our Mexican Wall; it's meant to keep your "free world" garbage, be it delivered by a "Model Race" face or otherwise, out of China. The wall obviously does NOT keep ourselves in. I mean, it is the United States, under both Biden and Trump, that wishes to ban Chinese students. The Chinese Communists are not the least bit worried about people experiencing the "free world". After all, this experience generates the most devout and patriotic Communists of the next generation - anything and everything to fuck the "free world" dead. Unfortunately, our Foreign Office is too out of practice and too beholden to "traditional" "Chinese" "mannerisms" to fuck the "free world" where it hurts. At least there are signs of a pulse now, namely, those who have come to be known as the "wolf warriors" are such signs. Primitive as their retorts are, there's now hope that, even if the Communists were to be gone, the billion zingers I have against "free world" propaganda may yet play a pivotal role in freeing humanity from the "free world".
Maybe you want to comment about this host's channel name, "little Chinese everywhere". When you encounter such naive Chinese essentially using TH-cam to practice English, you should bring them up to speed about the skeletons of the "free world". It sure beats pretending that her example can be used in any way to confirm the conditioned beliefs of "free world" citizens. This way, "free world" "news" or "dissident" "news" will have less of a market to abuse videos like this to declare: "Fuck the Communists, look at the poor condition of those houses!" Bltch please.
What they call "jars" are actually large pots or crocks. In the US rabbits are usually raised in cages little more than 18" square foot each rabbit. LOL But - until I saw the "jars" admittedly I was aghast too! .. I envisioned a full grown rabbit or a litter of baby rabbits squeezed into a 1 gallon mason jar. 😂 The "jars" they used were ample size for a rabbit and would offer a "den-like" environment rabbits enjoy. So worry not brother. 🥂Cheers
So cool to see how people lived communally for so long! The design of all the doors facing the court yard give so much more of a communal feel than apartment complexes
@@cheekymonkey8818 Americans are only scared about socialism because they don't know what it is, every time they try to talk about it they just describe capitalism lol
The houses are fascinating but what really impressed me is your way of putting people at ease so they feel comfortable. I feel like I got a sense of what these people are like.
Yes!! Really excellent. This is exactly the kind of content I want to see, too -- I feel like many people try to do this, but it really takes a special person to make locals comfortable enough to speak openly and relaxed like this.
People from rural areas are always more friendly and kind than those living in the city. And this is not an unique thing from China, It's the same situation in all countries too. I guess is because they live less stressed and more chill life.
@@SleepingLittleHedgehog Yea, imagine in the big cities, someone come to your home n start wanting to explore and make content without knowing who u are. The next second the cops gonna come and get u lol.
The Chinese words for Hokkien mean "guest" and "home". Supposedly they are an ethnic minority group famed for their hospitality. Also, I think there is a sense of camaraderie among Chinese folk that I think may be a product of the Socialist ethic.
Any of your reletives lived in Calcutta, India? I'm from there and there are Hakka Chineese there that have been there for more than 100 years and even before that. By the late 2000's most migrated away.
@JeanRKF Chan why aren't you doing your part to keep your culture alive? What are you doing? If you leave it to others cultures dilute, change and die.
I'm of Hakka descendant too and it's great to see the culture still remaining til this day considering how Hakka people are titled as "Nomads" because they travel across the world to settle down
Beautiful. This video brings tears to my eyes. I'm from western India. My ancestors built a big house about a 500 years ago. At it's peak it had 75 family and also cattle. It was surrounded by farms and gardens where our ancestors cultivated food. Now it's gone, I live in an apartment in a crowded city
I think if people lived like they really wanted to, it would be in a communal setting. We see that around the world. But now we have tears for what is lost. I am hoping that one day our cities will be like we really want them to be, but since we are human, I know it will be like it was again. One day we will be the ancestors that our future generations will feel sad about and perhaps cry a little for us.
Hi Yan, thank you for making this video. My family are Malaysian Hakka people and my father’s paternal grandparents left their homeland in 永定县, 下洋镇, 太平村 (Yong Ding County, Xia Yang Town, Tai Ping village) and migrated to Malaysia in the early 20th century. My father has never had the opportunity to visit China so he was very grateful to see the tulou: “This is a fantastic video, I feel like I had been there after watching it. At the ending part that lady spoke a quite different Hakka from ours. Thanks for the lady video producer, it's a very good video.” 🙏 Thank you for reconnecting us with our homeland and I look forward to visiting Yongding in person!
That's my hometown right there!!! Proud to be a Fujianese : ) Living in the U.S., a lot of people don't understand how collectivity is embedded in Chinese culture and history. Concepts like communal living, sharing resources, and socialism may come a lot more naturally to us, compared to the neoliberal individualist culture in the U.S.
@@mochichichi2458 Honestly the secret police that operate with impunity in Chinatowns across the US are more dangerous. It’s not *that* often that there are hate crimes but if you immigrated and speak out about certain things there are certain shady organizations that will pay you visits or threaten your family.
I loved this video too. American here and quite often I think that this type of community is exactly what is missing from American culture. Everyone here is so lonely. I love my privacy but life is a lot more difficult without a wide net of support.
This isn’t just socialism, it’s National Socialism and/or just properly preserved nationalism For centuries America had that in spades our first continental congress created laws to protect its people’s heritage our culture was finally eroded destroyed in 1965 by the Hart Cellar immigration act
Great content. Other youtubers only tried to show the surfaces of China, big cities, tourist places, newly built buildings and shopping malls. They tend to forget that China is very big and only few big cities do not represent the whole China. There are so many towns and villages in China are still living like the old days which make them culturally interesting, not tall buildings or neon led lights all over and no trees at all.
Dear friend, your understanding is somewhat biased. In fact, there are nearly 300 cities in China. This does not include some of the smaller cities and towns we call county seats. Among them, there are 36 major cities, with the smallest population exceeding 1 million and the largest number tens of millions. The problem now is excessive urbanization, too rapid urbanization, which has brought many problems. Her video is true, but we must also realize that most people living in the countryside are old people, and almost all young people have gone to the city. This is the biggest problem facing China, the shrinking of rural areas and small cities.
This is the first video I have watched from your channel, I was completely absorbed. How lucky that you met the friendly woman who gave you the tour. And when you walked in on the 88 year old woman’s “home” it was completely open, she was right there. I’ve struggled much of my adult life to pay rent on the west coast of US and this type of housing is so appealing to me. Big open spaces, safe for kids, elderly and everyone, I always like focusing on something alone but knowing there are familiar people and activity nearby. And room for a dragon dance in courtyard :) I will subscribe and watch more. Well done.
Elise…Same here about the rent on the east coast of the U.S. Our country is too expensive and why we all feel the need to live apart from each other I’ll never understand. I’m an hour and a half from my mom and dad and 2 hours from one son. I wish we could all just be around each other daily.
@@ChristysChannelYall blame building codes and politicians. Its illegal to build anything other than single family detached homes in many areas of the US. It’s terrible
@@linmaslaw no, it isn't illegal. You do need building permits and you'll have to follow building codes. But this is just as much about resource management as anything else.
Thank you so much for the videos! As an American, the more our (or any) nation's relationships hit rough times with another , the more I find myself wanting to be sure I find ways to learn about and connect with that nation's citizens. Videos such as yours are invaluable to help us grow from a place of ignorance, and to better understand and empathize with our neighbors abroad. :) 给中国的朋友们，我希望在不久的将来能够访问你们的国家！我正在努力学习普通话和广东话，希望能在来之前学会读和说。我现在还不太擅长，但我会继续努力的！
Good for you on learning to speak/ read/ write Chinese! It’s a very challenging language but I have no doubt you’ll do great. I wish more people would put our political differences aside and remember we are all human beings with similar struggles and dreams.
I am of Hakka heritage with family living around the world for a few generations now and this really moved me. it gave me a glimpse of my grandparents lives growing up and the 88 year old made me think of one of my grandmas who passed away for quite a few years now: she always talked about the big house back in china, the mountains, etc. Thank you for sharing this video.
I visited the tulou over CNY 2018 - the tourist ones but also stayed in a small village to celebrate CNY eve, and it was amazing. I'm an expat living in China 10 years and one thing I can say about Chinese people, at least from my own experiences, they are so welcoming, love to welcome you into their homes, no matter whether they are rich or not, and constantly want to feed you lol. Language barrier does not exist because actions speak louder than words.
@@TheTacoAlmightyA migrant is a person who moves from one place to another, either temporarily or permanently. An expatriate refers to someone who has moved to another country temporarily. An immigrant is someone who has moved to another country permanently.
I loved seeing the honest friendliness of all the people. They welcomed you right off and brought you into their homes and offered food. Just good people, and it's a joy to meet others who are for me, on the opposite side of the world. Thank you for this lovely meeting with my fellow brothers and sisters.
This was my impression too, all of them were so open and friendly! A stranger literally walks into their home and they greet them with smiles and offer them food like they’re an old friend. Such a lovely video!
I don't know why but when she flew the drone, I started to tear up a bit. I think it was because of how everyone was interacting with each other and the excitement from the elderly people. You can tell the people living in the Tsu Clan Tulou would take in a random person and treat them as their own without asking any questions.
I’m thinking about how much healthier this type of living must be for the elderly, rather than like where I am from in the USA where many elderly end up alone, their families scattered across the country with no one coming to visit or check on them and their health declines accordingly
This really hit me too. What happened in the west? We behave so differently in a really bad way. Like I wrote in another comment I can't even remember the last time I talked with one of my neighbours and I live in a 7 storey building.
I am a fourth generation Hokkien who was born overseas and has never stepped back into Fujian. Thank you for sharing a piece of my family's history. It was so wonderful seeing the tulou.
My mother is Hakka, and I feel quite emotionally connected to what is shown in this video, even though I've never visited a tulou in person. We speak a completely different type of Hakka and I couldn't understand any of the Hakka here 😅😂 Just goes to show how many different types of spoken Hakka there are, as it varies according to the regions where Hakkas settled. Tq Yan, for showing us the lives of the genuine, local people, leading their everyday lives.
I have not had a Chinese vlogger come up on my feed before and have never been to China and only watched some documentaries mainly about the city life, work conditions and on politics and economy.. This was a lovely video. These houses are amazing. I have subscribed and look forward to watching more of your travel videos around the country. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪
I previously watched some vloggers who were foreigners living in China. They were fluent in Mandarin. However, after a couple years something happened between them and the Chinese authorities who clearly wished to censor them. Both of them ended up moving to Taiwan and their channels turned very sour and negative about the mainland Chinese government. It was a great shame to see that happen to two guys who were so in love with China. Unfortunately the CCP has very poor judgement about such matters.
This video is making me feel things about the collective nature of humans. Working together to raise and maintain a community. I can hear the thundering footsteps of all the children running through the hallways as all their parents doorsteps fly by. And playing out in the courtyard, always within sight of home.
As a Chinese person living many years in foregin country it almost brings tears to my eyes to be able to see authentic exploration of the many beauties of our motherland. I really miss China, going back soon! Thank you !
I lived in China for many years and this channel is superb, absolutely the best I have ever seen. This is the real China. I miss it so much. It also shows how food is celebrated in China like nowhere else. Thank you so much.
I was born and raised Midwest United States.. and I was absolutely blown away at the fact she kept walking into people's homes! Like people she'd never met before, she would walk up to their front door and stand there... and the people would quickly say "are you visiting?" or they would quickly wave her into the door. Men, women, elderly.. everyone. Wow. It's so sad, but here in the US, in the times we live, if my daughter decided to take road trip across the country alone... I'd be so afraid it would be the last time I saw her.. and it very well could be.
It's mostly because now everyone is living in big cities and only visit the countryside for new years or to see relatives. They probably thought she was related to the family some way.
@@heythave Oh you mean that one story you saw from NY state that the media popularized despite the fact that morders happen all over that state weekly? And you think that makes it ok for you to generalize that “ *people* are shot dead by showing up in the driveway” ?
Woah is this the kind of communal home that inspired Big Fish & Begonia, like even the wells, and the playgrounds are so similar, it's so magical to see the home coming to life!
I'm a Hokkien born overseas and I have never known this (I was so intrigued by it when I saw it on Mulan) Growing up, we've been to China many times but never visiting this communal place. I guess one day I can bring it up to my dad when we plan on visiting China again. Thanks for sharing!
@@rscl22 Ah speaking about Mulan, yeah it is a thing in Southern Dynasty since back then! Although that's quite inaccurate since Mulan is supposed to live in Northern Dynasty.
Thank You, Yan, for this special tour of Tolous. The welcoming and hospitality accorded to you , a stranger, from the good lady and her neighbours , probably the outcome of community living and life of sharing, giving and tolerance. Good to know that such fast- disappearing kindness still exist. Good Work!
You’ve got yourself a new subscriber. I love that you go to less touristy places. That’s where you find the real people’s spirit. Great work, love the music you selected.
At 18:37, this pickled pear is made from traditional lactobacillus-fermented Asian sweet pears, a famous appetizer in Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi. The process involves lacto-fermentation, producing lactase that makes the pickled pear rich in nutrients and refreshing, with a noticeable slimming effect. Similar to how Western medicine uses lactase to make tablets aiding appetite and digestion, this pickled pear is beloved by many young women. I tasted it once in a beverage shop in Guangxi and was instantly captivated. During that occasion, I consumed around ten pickled pears on my own.
Your channel makes Chinese culture a bit more accessible, and it all looks super genuine. I found china to be quite obscure/dense to the western world and for visitors who might not have a friend in China to show them around. Thanks for this! I think this channel is quite a novelty.
That’s not by accident. The CCP is largely to blame for that unfortunately. They only want to show the world the “best” parts of China. Sadly much of the nuance is lost. Ironically, this video showcases a more “real” form of socialism than what the CCP represents. Sad that their agenda for growth at all costs (read:capitalism) is drawing most of their youth away to let places like this decay.
Not only the visual of these communities and their construction was fascinating, but the hospitality of all of the people was a joy to see. You did a great job in presenting this lifestyle. This is not something that I normally watch, but you intrigued me from the start. Well done.
community living and joint families were the norm in ancient cultures - save space, smaller carbon footprint, social development, childcare, senior care, continuous learning!
Alot of public housing for the elderly in the US is moving towards similar buildings because studies have shown how much communal interactions improve older people's health. Cool to see these historic micro communities, thanks for sharing.
Not just for the elderly but *everyone* living in such a place. I'm sure it isn't always sunshine but then again is it anywhere in this world nowadays? I'd pack my bags and move into such a housing in a heartbeat but we have nothing even remotely close to that in my country.
These buildings have been standing longer than the United States has been a country! What an amazing look into the beautiful historical architecture of China. Edit: I see people have made this their place to post ignorant comments so allow me to cite specific parts of the video for you. 16:53 This house is also 2 or 3 hundred years old. 19:17 This one is built in the Ming dynasty. (which ended in 1644) 19:50 This one has a history of more than 400 years. 19:55 It was renovated last year (2022).
And from the looks of it hasn't had another second spent repairing it since it was built. That entire building looks like it is rotting and one earth quake away from collapsing on all those people.
This type of community is brilliant. Such support for every age. Having the kitchens on the ground floor and the open central courtyard is very friendly, no loneliness living here. No privacy either, but as you age that becomes less important. I found it interesting that they were lived in by a single clan.
I have to disagree with your comment about privacy becoming less important as you age. I'm 73 and I definitely value my privacy, lol. I would love to have my family all around me instead of spread all ove rthe U.S., but even with them, I still need my privacy. Not being disagreeable, just saying. 😊
Ummmm, I have cousins that had like 8 sibilings they value there privacy and all live away from eachother. They value there privacy as do I . Source from a Close knit Muslim Family. Privacy and space is verrrrrry much important espically in these time as the elders are just so different how things are done in current times. As I get older I value my privacy way more then I did in the past. As well privacy for keeping a job as well. (I habent a single clue wth the op is talking about)
There can be alot of abuse in such areas as well. If you dont fit in, it can be very much a personal hell hole and a path towards extreme isolation and stillness.
Both the narration and architecture was beautiful. I often feel that modern buildings in my country don't reflect our history may be it is the same in China. Modern architecture should get inspiration from these buildings so it gets preserved and doesn't look like any other modern city in the world. Greetings from India
This is SO COOL to see on TH-cam ! I may never get to see these parts of China in person and I’m so grateful you are able to share your travels with us armchair voyagers!
thank you for this awesome video! Born as a hokkien(fujian) in Singapore and with my mum's side as cantonese, im so blessed to be able to understand both hokkien & cantonese, hakka have such a similarity with hokkien and cantonese at the same time! Now im residing in Australia, these videos helps alot of us living in western countries to appreciate our heritage so much more! Hope to be able to explore China more too in future times!
I don't know why, but even though I'm not Hakka and both sides of my family have their origins in the northern and central parts of China rather than the south, this tulou still feels like home. I think it's because the people seem extraordinarily hospitable, and the interiors of their homes look just like those of other homes I've visited while in China. I'm sure communal living has its downsides, but given my current living situation (alone), living in a tulou actually seems like it wouldn't be so bad, even if I had to give up some creature comforts.
Truly authentic . The woman who showed you all around reminds me of my village where the people are as friendly as she is. There are no such large community houses in India. It is really a unique culture . Just imagine how closely knit is the community. Wonderful, extraordinary, Great . Sad to see that such traditions are not promoted nowadays. And hence LOVE & AFFECTION within the communities are dwindling. Thank you so much for showing us the real , old , authentic , beautiful CHINA . I wish CHINESE will take all the necessary steps to preserve their culture . LOVE FROM INDIA 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Not so large but India do have rectangular Tulou type Chawls we call it in Maharashtra. Not as big to house more than 20-40 people though. Building style is similar with rammed clay built with Teak wood load bearing structures.
My mother's family is from a village and whenever I visit them they're so nice. The villagers treat you like family right away even though they know you're only a visitor. Nice to see that this kind of human interaction is universal in other places around the world too. Great channel.
…Well…kinda. She had to get permission from the CCP before going and the local CCP head from that village would have first visited the dwellings she would be allowed to film at, and spoke to the residents about “friendly interactions.”…… As a Chinese, the content producer is not allowed to film locally for an international audience (even TH-cam) without CCP oversight; they are very paranoid over what the outside world sees of China….Only exception to this oversight are the vids shown on shows such as, “China Insights” or “China Observer”-but these are vids taken off the Chinese app, What’sApp-and were not made for outside consumption…
@@Shineon83 ok, because I was wondering how was she able to move about so freely without seeing the CCP being all over this and she's on TH-cam also which I was so amazed. But I still appreciate seeing the authentic China with county sides and unique little cities and villages.
@@jdub7775 😂 I'm just happen to see such a insane comment like above... The story is just LMAO that ccp is auditting every video. Political junk like above just popping everywhere which is quite annoying...
@@Shineon83 You can come to China by yourself. I can guarantee that the CCP won't prevent you from going anywhere, filming any video, or uploading it wherever you want😅 Indeed, China has a population of 1.4 billion people, and millions of tourists visit every year. Do you understand the scale of this? Do you really believe the CCP can engage in some "friendly interactions" with every local before each tourist arrives? Well, it seems like every CCP member would need a hundred clones to accomplish that.
Wow this is very good. I am not sure but I feel very satisfied watching your content. I don't know what makes it so attractive but I am addicted to your videos
I think Tulou is an inspiration behind architecture of Apple's headquarter. It's so beautiful and we'll organised structure. Why does modern society declines our ancient way of living, it was way more meaningful and beautiful than the modern one. Love from India ❣️🇮🇳😊
The people you meet are all soooo nice …my heart always melts and go soft when i see them welcome you with a smile ….i use to live in china for 6 years during those time i also meet a lot of nice people when i go far from the big cities…I always get teary when i see old people looking so happy and preserving their culture and traditions 💕
I loved watching this, the respect you gave to each person and happiness from everyone was beautiful. I love how welcoming everyone was and seeing your culture and the way everyone lives. I am Australian and we live so differently so it’s nice to see how others live 💕
Outstanding, Yan. You are an extremely talented documentary maker. You take the viewer along with you as you leisurely explore these remote locations. Your words are well chosen and enhance the visual experience. Thank you.
This is so freaking cool. It's like the Chinese version of those documentaries you see out here in the states about Appalachia and backwoods Alabama or Louisiana swamp people. I love this so much. And all the residents who participated seem so gracious and friendly. God bless them all.
….Pretty sure she had to get permission from Nat’l CCP before going there (and local CCP would have first visited the communal houses she would be allowed to film at to speak to the residents to request friendly cooperation - the ppl in the vid were very friendly-but also had the formal stiffness you have when you think there will be a big audience)….Just a hunch.
@@Shineon83 you must be American because in any other country if you go to rural areas they will treat you this kindly. there’s no need for coercion, this is how a close community acts like naturally (hell, I’m from Spain and if you go to any small town they will even invite you for dinner without knowing you)
Last year I just found out I have Chinese blood no wonder my father side look east asians. It is so cool to know a bit of my ancestry. I'm from the Philippines. These videos are so authentic and speaks from the hearts. Kudos!
I love learning about other cultures. My 7th grade teacher used to go to China every summer and show us his photos but they don’t tell the whole story. I’ve learned so much more from TH-cam than I ever learned in school.
This just showed up in my feed and I have to say, the TH-cam algorithm did good work this time! What a fascinating vlog and a delightfully charming hostess. Wonderful content! I loved to see how the Hakka people lived, courtesy of the hospitable Hakka lady who gave you such an insightful tour. In fact, all these wonderful people were so hospitable! Thank you so much for this terrific insight in everyday Chinese life. I send you many warm greetings and huge hugs from Scotland x
Hello Yan, I found this video by chance. As a Chinese-American, I'm really enjoying this exposure to a different side of China I've never seen before. Thank you for the subtitles too, as my Chinese has been getting rusty and it really helps me to practice. Subscribed!
It looks peaceful. I am sure that eventually some younger Chinese people will realize that they appreciate living alone, find peace in living naturally offgrid and may return to these places. Right now there is just so much intense pressure on young chinese people to be "married" and work a competitive job. I know poverty isn't glamorous and there is little incentive (and backlash) to "going back to the countryside," but to me this looks ideal. I would be okay with a slower pace of life, finding my own food, trading goods and getting along with elders. I wish governments would stop making younger people leave to find aggressive jobs that don't protect them in cities that are too expensive.
I just discovered your channel and it is a treasure trove of Chinese people and their culture. I found it beautiful and eye opening! Your videos are so well made and edited that I feel like I'm there on a journey with you and all of those wonderful people you've met. Thank you for your amazing work! Greetings from Croatia 😊
I was just about to say the same, it's really sad how the younger generation abandoned the first one that was shown though. The home itself seemed sad to be empty.
I am a 4th generation overseas Chinese/Hakka, our family members visited one of the tulou where the Hakka lives, our ancestor's homeland few years back. ♥️
I noticed an especially large Chinese Hakka community in the city of Niagara, Canada. Near my home, it always seemed that everyone was Cantonese or Taiwanese.
I love this! I took Mandarin in high school and I became fascinated with Chinese culture. It's so wonderful to see the sense of community in villages. Your video has inspired me to start learning the language again!
A fascinating glimpse into life and architecture in rural China. I've seen ancient Chinese furniture in the British Museum that look contemporary to 20th century Danish design. Although the buildings are over 400 years old, the style looks little more than late nineteenth century. After twenty minutes, the atmosphere had a very calming effect.
Spectacular! Who knew any of this existed?! Some people still live in these homes & I'm glad the ones who moved out still come back to celebrate Spring Festival & plan renovations. These are family homes, after all, & there is still pride & respect. Thank you for taking us beyond the tourist sites!
So refreshing to see natural life and kind people, all around... you make us like Chinese people, not complicated life and turmoil of big cities. Thank you and keep your lovely smile.
Amazing video as always! China is a big place with many different groups and cultures. So far I've watched all of your videos with every second and I have learned a lot from them. Thank you Yan! 🥰
In all the videos that I’ve watched, the people are always friendly and willing to talk to her and give her lots of information about their place/culture/community. The grandpa she talked to in the 2nd tulou she visited reminded me of my grandpa the way he was dressed - the dress shirt, vest, and the beret/hat. Even the way he was sitting on the chair with his legs crossed as he was watching over his baozi. 😊
….Uh….there’s a reason for that (you DO know that she must get all filming approved beforehand by the Nat’l CCP? And that local Communist leaders visit whichever places she intends to visit first-and ensure residents will show a “friendly face” of China to an international audience)? She wouldn’t dare film without permission as she could be arrested (only exception would be if it were to be posted only on What’sApp - the Chinese version of TH-cam)
@@Shineon83 you have proof of this? and what difference would it make. if you wouldnt be hospitable to people without a government telling you thats a you problem
@@hhhahahhhahha It’s law in China (and carries severe penalties if violated). No filming for foreign usage, without CCP approval….You may very well be right : all of the ppl in the vid may have been just as nice without any prodding by local CCP….(but, we’ll never really know, will we)?
@@Shineon83 Again, what difference would it make and what use is your speculation without evidence other than to raise doubt. The CCP is actually the reason your mom and friends are nice to you too, otherwise they'd be treating you like the annoyance you are
You're definitely more than a tourist, this is like anthropology! It's really cool, and I love being able to experience other lives and parts of the world even if it's virtual.
I watched a documentary on these round houses when I was a small child. I have always wanted to know more about them and asked around when I lived in China (Heilongzhang province) but nobody was able to tell me more. I'm so glad you are making recordings of these old places before everything is too westernised. Those cobbled mosaics and wooden architectural designs are so beautiful. The houses in the documentary I watched (circa early 1990's) had bigger animals in the centre: cows, goats and pigs. I find it so sad that only the elderly seem to live in these communes now.
Very interesting! It made me wonder if "little villages" like these could be a solution for housing our homeless who are now in tents or just outside on the ground. Room enough to have some services on site like counseling, doctor, food... maybe even some schoolrooms.
I was thinking the very same thing. I wish this video was introduced to every city planner and every city counsel member in America, to help the homeless.
Another great video and really enjoyed seeing how open the residents are to showing strangers around their homes-can't wait to get back to China from UK, now air fares are below £1000. I was in a Tuluo place in April 2019-I managed to get up at 6.45, having banged my head on the pillow, 7 times, the night before. We had a breakfast of bacon and eggs, plus cereal, but no coffee provided. Then went out to wait for our tour bus to pick us up at 8.10. My wife, Ling got a call to say they would be 10 minutes late as other customers were late getting up. Again, I pointed out to Ling, ‘why travel to Xiamen, a city of about 7 million people, with loads of parks, rivers, shopping centres, museums etc, for 2 nights and spend a whole day, driving 100 miles to somewhere else? We got on at 8.20 with 3 girls. There were 18 of us in total, 5 guys, including me and 13 ladies. We had a 3 hour drive ahead of us, with 2 toilet breaks, which I had to go on, in case of wanting to go before the next stop. No sit downs, but I only wanted a pee, which is all I can manage when most of the ‘hole in the ground’ have liquids all over the floor, so I have to roll up my trousers and try to ignore the state of the soles of my shoes. The temperature today was 32 degrees, most of it spent outside, apart from 6 hours driving (there and back). Our 2nd stop was at a garage, with a girl selling bananas, from a stall under an umbrella, in banana territory, as we could see plantations everywhere, in a place called Nanjing-not the one in Jiangshi, as we were in Fujian, home of the Tulou people. Even though it was just a fruit stall, she still had a bar code square on her stall, accepting payments online with Wei Chat. She also had a light, made of an empty plastic water bottle, plus a few flies. We bought 2 yellow bananas and 2 red ones, for 9 yuan, doing a brisk trade from our group, as most didn’t have much time for breakfast. The driver set off again, after practising his English on me and seemed friendly, until the tour guide warned us about the danger of some biting insects in the mountains, but the driver could sell us some cream for 60 yuan, which we later found out you could buy for 25 in a shop. Not many windows in the round building. We didn’t see what kind of toilets/bedrooms/living rooms they had, but maybe a few public toilets-not sure if they even had showers. Anyway, the one we came to for lunch, had a couple of largish rooms, catering for about 10 people, with basic mud brick walls and timber ceilings, with the doors open to let in the light. The food was OK, boiled mouli, cabbage, chicken and fried sardines, rice etc and was reasonable. Then we drove on into the mountains, to a square shape tulou building, which was about 350 years old, built on a swamp, which they demonstrated, by getting everyone to jump up and down in the courtyard and you could see the ground moving. We bought a couple of cheap but not bad souvenirs-key rings and small model of a round building. We walked through a pleasant park, with yellow and red flowering avenue of trees. Then we drove on to a larger area, having to pass through turnstyles and walking along an attractive river side, with weirs and amazing trees, centuries old, with long trailing creepers and twisted and gnarled trunks, but luxuriant canopy of leaves. The paths were made of large stones, which were difficult to negotiate under foot and lined with small shops selling souvenirs and various foods. There were hotels etc and I daresay you could find a nice place to stay, overlooking the river and feeling at peace, with the rippling of the water and twitter of birdsong, apart from the 50 or so tour guides, creaming into microphones. We stopped for a tea demonstration, almost missing it as we went down the wrong street, until someone came chasing after us. We were given some free samples of different teas, by an attractive girl, wearing a Mickey Mouse T shirt, but when it came to paying 220 yuan for half a kilo, we all got up and hastily left. Stalls outside were selling the same tea at around 70 yuan. Our local lady tour guide got very upset with our lot who didn’t buy anything We carried on down the river and crossed over some stepping stones to another village, into another large museum in the Tulou style and went upstairs to enjoy the views, but didn’t go inside any rooms, as mostly had padlocks on the doors. There were some nice displays of pottery and oil lamps downstairs, which must have been a fire risk, for the whole structure was first made of wood, with dried mud and stone on the outside. Lastly, we went to another place by bus, to another Tulou building, where a local lady talked us into getting our photos taken and laminated it-costing 10 yuan. Then a local tour guide invited us into her home-well on the kitchen on the ground floor where she gave us some samples of dried fruits etc, which she later tried to sell us. We left after that, but maybe some people bought something. By then it was around 6.00 pm and I was pretty exhausted with heat and being out in the sun all day, apart from the coach. About 7.00, we stopped at a basic rest place and had a bowl of noodles each. Some people laughed when I tried to get the long slippery noodles into my bowl, but they weren’t much better at it. I think Ling and one other person managed to get a full bowl.
This was so interesting! I never would have thought that there are such old, nice houses like a small village in modern China. Also the people are very kind.
It’s like watching a documentary! The only difference is that this is done without an entourage and crew with high tech equipment ( apart from your drone shots ) and production company! Kudos to you Yan !
I really have never seen a video quite like this one. It feels so comfortable, like I'm just spending time chatting with extended family. There's something really special about you and the way you approach making videos. Totally subscribed. Can't wait to see more 😊
Loved watching this video, as a young citizen of China ensure these buildings are saved as part of the country’s heritage. It’s goods it’s still being lived in and you took us around and it was joyous to view❤
Only in Haiti did I experience this level of human experience where strangers were instantly family... despite any and all differences between us. Like these people, Haitians I stayed with were some of the most lively, colorful people I've met despite their socioeconomic status.... that's not how that village viewed the world.... it was amazing... it was so important everyone ate despite the lack of food and us politely saying we didn't need so much but we learned that we were a part of the community while there bc our intentions to come help the local orphanage and bc my family has strong ties there too, the Haitians only judged us off our intentions... the community feel was like nothing I've experienced before or since. And like these communities- there's a magic in comraderary that is the purest connection BTW ppl.
These structures have fascinated me since I first saw them in a satellite picture! Such a GREAT CONCEPT: a HUGE "Family home," with multiple generations living together, able to see one another, speak with and assist each other, share goods and efforts, and just really LIVE AS A COMMUNITY! I had heard or read these were originally built with NO WINDOWS on the ground floor, and with ONLY ONE door there, also. That single door wasn't terribly large, but was a sturdy door that could be closed, locked, & barricaded, in times of trouble. With water being available INSIDE the structure from a well, and most of the 2nd floor utilized as storerooms for produce & other goods, the structure could be closed up into a contained, safe, and well-stocked citadel of security for the entire clan. *A truly **_LOVELY_** idea; I would LOVE to be able to build one & live there!* (I believe the center part could become a REALLY _WONDERFUL_ "kitchen garden" area!)
After watching this,I actually looked up Guzhu area on google map and very amazed that there are so many tulou. Im amazed and love that the people preserve their historical homes, coming back on holidays for celebrations instead of allowing modern houses being built on the land.
Watching this , put a smile on my face, I absolutely Love China, and to see such traditions, its a treat, Thank you for posting it, God Bless All of you, keep smiling, keep happy, and look after each others always. 🥰
I bet the little kids have such a great time living there. It takes a village to raise children. I can imagine the elders pitching in helping and passing on traditions to the young people.
Yan, Thank you very much for taking us to view this authentic heritage Tulou traditional home, hopefully one day UNESCO will recognize it as one of the world world heritage building.
![[TH] 2024 PMGC League | Survival Stage วันที่ 1 | PUBG MOBILE Global Championship](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FVFT-PFwU80/mqdefault.jpg)
What makes it even more interesting is that you spoke to people who actually lived there their entire lives. The way they describe their own lives in that place and point out small little things makes the whole place come alive. Much better than having a professional tour guide just giving a talk.
Agreed!
Would have loved to see the sleeping areas
This is the original community flat design
I like these better as well.
I can imagine, when a fartbaby is born, they all suffer together. 😭😭😭
I think this is wonderful. The elderly are never alone and have people watching over them. It's like a small village all in one place.
Agreed
You are a Fool! It is a freaking bird cage.
A concrete prison for you and meeeeee
This is actually what mall spaces in America were intended to be upon conception
Hmmm....one person catches a cold (or covid), and.... 😧😱😷 But if you needed a cup of sugar, you were all set! Would have been an amazing place to see in its heyday. 👍
I can't believe I live in a time when I can just watch a video about an entire Chinese community and learn about their lifestyle, all in my home in a completely different continent. Thank you for sharing
I want to live in a building like this with my friends.
And see their features amazingly clearly (rather than in fuzzy pictures), and also hear what their language sounds like. Isn't it amazing?
It's all fluff
@@joriankell1983 You talking about yourself?
Yeah , its insane
You do a really excellent work, no prejudice, no political, no commercialism, just pure and honest Chinese people, that’s the real Chinese. I like your videos 😊👍
the lady from 8:18 onwards was so proud and happy to share her heritage that she became a full fledged tour guide
or its chinese propaganda agent ? duh.
verry nice episode though.
@@nicolaastanghe475lol are you a cia bot then because you speak English
@@user-qwertyuiopasdfghj no i would be a CIA bot if I behaved like one.
@@nicolaastanghe475 it's called history... throw the politics out of it
@@nicolaastanghe475 the irony....
This was just BEAUTIFUL 😢…an entire community living, supporting and cooking together to benefit one another. As an Indigenous Native American, it sounds Amazing. My Tribe had a historical closeness with the Chinese who came to work on the RR, we traded medicine and other goods with one another prior to the Gold Rush. Bless these elders who remember their ancestors and how they lived. Thanks for sharing this.
I was thinking the same thing, my tribe would line our long houses up in similar ways for similar reasons. if there were a bunch of kids running around on a pepsi high and more loud nonsense going on in the background you coulda told me they were native.
I'm Chinese (by descent) and have always been fascinated by the culture of the Native Americans. I also sympathize with the painful experiences endured by the Native Americans in recent history. It is delightful in this respect that some of you should be attracted to aspects of China's traditional culture. Much appreciation, and best wishes for you and for your people.
@@gwang3103good point about having a lot in common. Both of your people were conquered by foreigners
@@joriankell1983 Actually there's probably no race that has not been exploited by others at some point in its history. From the 16th to the 18th century Europeans, the British included, were very often abducted by pirates from North Africa and forced to work for Muslim masters as concubines, galley slaves or laborers. Professor Robert Davis from Ohio State University claimed as much.
@@gwang3103 everyone ignores this, I swear
English content travel vblogs of less visited places in China is so rare. Really appreciate you share this with us. Keep up the good work.
I second that. I feel like the message we get in the states is that everything is censored and impossible to see anything out of there. I love seeing “real life” even when I travel, so this is right up my alley. I love your impeccable command of English and the casual narration . I will be watching your video of the travels and less than a calendar year, I hope, and Barry will tell us a little bit about you.
@booksale5 Who's censored? Please, tell me. Here's my take. Our Chinese "Great Firewall" is our Mexican Wall; it's meant to keep your "free world" garbage, be it delivered by a "Model Race" face or otherwise, out of China. The wall obviously does NOT keep ourselves in. I mean, it is the United States, under both Biden and Trump, that wishes to ban Chinese students. The Chinese Communists are not the least bit worried about people experiencing the "free world". After all, this experience generates the most devout and patriotic Communists of the next generation - anything and everything to fuck the "free world" dead. Unfortunately, our Foreign Office is too out of practice and too beholden to "traditional" "Chinese" "mannerisms" to fuck the "free world" where it hurts. At least there are signs of a pulse now, namely, those who have come to be known as the "wolf warriors" are such signs. Primitive as their retorts are, there's now hope that, even if the Communists were to be gone, the billion zingers I have against "free world" propaganda may yet play a pivotal role in freeing humanity from the "free world".
Maybe you want to comment about this host's channel name, "little Chinese everywhere". When you encounter such naive Chinese essentially using TH-cam to practice English, you should bring them up to speed about the skeletons of the "free world". It sure beats pretending that her example can be used in any way to confirm the conditioned beliefs of "free world" citizens. This way, "free world" "news" or "dissident" "news" will have less of a market to abuse videos like this to declare: "Fuck the Communists, look at the poor condition of those houses!" Bltch please.
Yes I was surprised it’s not been removed yet, nice to see although rabbit in jars is a little disturbing,,,, I’m guessing translation is different
What they call "jars" are actually large pots or crocks. In the US rabbits are usually raised in cages little more than 18" square foot each rabbit.
LOL But - until I saw the "jars" admittedly I was aghast too! .. I envisioned a full grown rabbit or a litter of baby rabbits squeezed into a 1 gallon mason jar.
😂
The "jars" they used were ample size for a rabbit and would offer a "den-like" environment rabbits enjoy. So worry not brother.
🥂Cheers
So cool to see how people lived communally for so long! The design of all the doors facing the court yard give so much more of a communal feel than apartment complexes
yeah, so cool and americans are so worried about SOCIALISM. We basically live like this, but with strangers.......
@@cheekymonkey8818 Americans are only scared about socialism because they don't know what it is, every time they try to talk about it they just describe capitalism lol
@@kristoffer3000True and comes in different forms
@@cheekymonkey8818 This has nothing to do with socialism. Socialism is a government system, that eventually takes individuality and creativity away.
@@kristoffer3000 That's just completely false.
The houses are fascinating but what really impressed me is your way of putting people at ease so they feel comfortable. I feel like I got a sense of what these people are like.
Yes!! Really excellent. This is exactly the kind of content I want to see, too -- I feel like many people try to do this, but it really takes a special person to make locals comfortable enough to speak openly and relaxed like this.
People from rural areas are always more friendly and kind than those living in the city. And this is not an unique thing from China, It's the same situation in all countries too. I guess is because they live less stressed and more chill life.
@@martiddy true, although some of them only have money to buy food but they definitely more happy than people who grow up in big city😅
@@SleepingLittleHedgehog Yea, imagine in the big cities, someone come to your home n start wanting to explore and make content without knowing who u are. The next second the cops gonna come and get u lol.
The Chinese words for Hokkien mean "guest" and "home". Supposedly they are an ethnic minority group famed for their hospitality. Also, I think there is a sense of camaraderie among Chinese folk that I think may be a product of the Socialist ethic.
I am a Hakka born overseas living in Australia and proud to see wherever my ancestors come from and still keep the Hakka culture alive 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️
Any of your reletives lived in Calcutta, India? I'm from there and there are Hakka Chineese there that have been there for more than 100 years and even before that. By the late 2000's most migrated away.
they all left the first place
@JeanRKF Chan why aren't you doing your part to keep your culture alive? What are you doing? If you leave it to others cultures dilute, change and die.
I'm of Hakka descendant too and it's great to see the culture still remaining til this day considering how Hakka people are titled as "Nomads" because they travel across the world to settle down
I'm an Australian learning about Hakka culture! Haha 🇦🇺🇨🇳
Beautiful. This video brings tears to my eyes. I'm from western India. My ancestors built a big house about a 500 years ago. At it's peak it had 75 family and also cattle. It was surrounded by farms and gardens where our ancestors cultivated food.
Now it's gone, I live in an apartment in a crowded city
:(
I think if people lived like they really wanted to, it would be in a communal setting. We see that around the world. But now we have tears for what is lost. I am hoping that one day our cities will be like we really want them to be, but since we are human, I know it will be like it was again. One day we will be the ancestors that our future generations will feel sad about and perhaps cry a little for us.
Cohousing is an international movement to bring back communal living
@@dopaminey9946 ..
Selfishness and Greed is what kills it all
Hi Yan, thank you for making this video. My family are Malaysian Hakka people and my father’s paternal grandparents left their homeland in 永定县, 下洋镇, 太平村 (Yong Ding County, Xia Yang Town, Tai Ping village) and migrated to Malaysia in the early 20th century. My father has never had the opportunity to visit China so he was very grateful to see the tulou: “This is a fantastic video, I feel like I had been there after watching it. At the ending part that lady spoke a quite different Hakka from ours. Thanks for the lady video producer, it's a very good video.” 🙏 Thank you for reconnecting us with our homeland and I look forward to visiting Yongding in person!
欢迎回祖国参观
Thanks for sharing, I teared up reading your comment. Wish you all the best and hope you can visit there soon 😊
自己的祖籍随时可以来玩，甚至住在这里，都随你心意，没有人可以阻挡。
That's my hometown right there!!! Proud to be a Fujianese : ) Living in the U.S., a lot of people don't understand how collectivity is embedded in Chinese culture and history. Concepts like communal living, sharing resources, and socialism may come a lot more naturally to us, compared to the neoliberal individualist culture in the U.S.
I hope you're save in the US. Sounds weird but I just read some news about people targeting Chinese people in buses &attacking them
@@mochichichi2458 Honestly the secret police that operate with impunity in Chinatowns across the US are more dangerous. It’s not *that* often that there are hate crimes but if you immigrated and speak out about certain things there are certain shady organizations that will pay you visits or threaten your family.
@@jerrell1169 Really?! I had no idea, that's terrifying
I loved this video too. American here and quite often I think that this type of community is exactly what is missing from American culture. Everyone here is so lonely. I love my privacy but life is a lot more difficult without a wide net of support.
This isn’t just socialism, it’s National Socialism and/or just properly preserved nationalism
For centuries America had that in spades our first continental congress created laws to protect its people’s heritage our culture was finally eroded destroyed in 1965 by the Hart Cellar immigration act
Great content. Other youtubers only tried to show the surfaces of China, big cities, tourist places, newly built buildings and shopping malls. They tend to forget that China is very big and only few big cities do not represent the whole China. There are so many towns and villages in China are still living like the old days which make them culturally interesting, not tall buildings or neon led lights all over and no trees at all.
I'm not a fan of the so-called wolf-warrior diplomacy, but as an American I am in awe of the natural beauty of China and it's people.
Dear friend, your understanding is somewhat biased. In fact, there are nearly 300 cities in China. This does not include some of the smaller cities and towns we call county seats. Among them, there are 36 major cities, with the smallest population exceeding 1 million and the largest number tens of millions. The problem now is excessive urbanization, too rapid urbanization, which has brought many problems. Her video is true, but we must also realize that most people living in the countryside are old people, and almost all young people have gone to the city. This is the biggest problem facing China, the shrinking of rural areas and small cities.
great point hannah!
@@arielhernandez1638哈哈哈哈哈为什么不喜欢😂
@@arielhernandez1638it's just disgusting politics,no one like it,we people lived our lives peacefully.
This is the first video I have watched from your channel, I was completely absorbed. How lucky that you met the friendly woman who gave you the tour. And when you walked in on the 88 year old woman’s “home” it was completely open, she was right there. I’ve struggled much of my adult life to pay rent on the west coast of US and this type of housing is so appealing to me. Big open spaces, safe for kids, elderly and everyone, I always like focusing on something alone but knowing there are familiar people and activity nearby. And room for a dragon dance in courtyard :) I will subscribe and watch more. Well done.
Elise…Same here about the rent on the east coast of the U.S. Our country is too expensive and why we all feel the need to live apart from each other I’ll never understand. I’m an hour and a half from my mom and dad and 2 hours from one son. I wish we could all just be around each other daily.
@@ChristysChannelYall blame building codes and politicians. Its illegal to build anything other than single family detached homes in many areas of the US. It’s terrible
@@ItsThatSheep is it ILLEGAL for real or just being sarcastic😂
@@linmaslaw no, it isn't illegal. You do need building permits and you'll have to follow building codes. But this is just as much about resource management as anything else.
Thank you so much for the videos! As an American, the more our (or any) nation's relationships hit rough times with another , the more I find myself wanting to be sure I find ways to learn about and connect with that nation's citizens. Videos such as yours are invaluable to help us grow from a place of ignorance, and to better understand and empathize with our neighbors abroad. :)
给中国的朋友们，我希望在不久的将来能够访问你们的国家！我正在努力学习普通话和广东话，希望能在来之前学会读和说。我现在还不太擅长，但我会继续努力的！
加油🎉期待你的拜访
Welcome ❤
is difficult to learn right？😢
你现在的中文已经很棒啦，加油！Welcome
Good for you on learning to speak/ read/ write Chinese! It’s a very challenging language but I have no doubt you’ll do great. I wish more people would put our political differences aside and remember we are all human beings with similar struggles and dreams.
I am of Hakka heritage with family living around the world for a few generations now and this really moved me. it gave me a glimpse of my grandparents lives growing up and the 88 year old made me think of one of my grandmas who passed away for quite a few years now: she always talked about the big house back in china, the mountains, etc. Thank you for sharing this video.
That old lady was the best. She seemed so lively.
I’m 70 and am so thrilled that others my age get to live this way. They’re active, part of a loving community, busy and treated valuable.
@@HollylivengoodI loved her jacket!🌸
@@leejianne5342 是汉人，客家人就是北方汉族迁徙到南方的。只是近代中国人迁徙到世界各地了，也包括客家人
那位老人应该一直很怀念他的家乡
I visited the tulou over CNY 2018 - the tourist ones but also stayed in a small village to celebrate CNY eve, and it was amazing. I'm an expat living in China 10 years and one thing I can say about Chinese people, at least from my own experiences, they are so welcoming, love to welcome you into their homes, no matter whether they are rich or not, and constantly want to feed you lol. Language barrier does not exist because actions speak louder than words.
You're not an expat, you're a migrant.
@@TheTacoAlmightyIn fact, you are both when you have left your home country to live in another.
@@TheTacoAlmightyA migrant is a person who moves from one place to another, either temporarily or permanently. An expatriate refers to someone who has moved to another country temporarily. An immigrant is someone who has moved to another country permanently.
@@if6was929 Tell them if6, tell them! 😁
@@TheTacoAlmightyread a book
I loved seeing the honest friendliness of all the people. They welcomed you right off and brought you into their homes and offered food. Just good people, and it's a joy to meet others who are for me, on the opposite side of the world. Thank you for this lovely meeting with my fellow brothers and sisters.
This was my impression too, all of them were so open and friendly! A stranger literally walks into their home and they greet them with smiles and offer them food like they’re an old friend. Such a lovely video!
Wow, these folks are so lovely. Wouldn't find this kind of hospitality in America. Also, seniors are adorable.
It’s so sweet that you walked around and everyone treated you like a friend or family. I enjoyed this video a lot, my heart was so full.
I don't know why but when she flew the drone, I started to tear up a bit. I think it was because of how everyone was interacting with each other and the excitement from the elderly people. You can tell the people living in the Tsu Clan Tulou would take in a random person and treat them as their own without asking any questions.
I’m thinking about how much healthier this type of living must be for the elderly, rather than like where I am from in the USA where many elderly end up alone, their families scattered across the country with no one coming to visit or check on them and their health declines accordingly
You dont think the Chinese abandon there parents either???
Understand that Tulou is the biggest it ever got.
Simple basic living has
Lower cost
And give healthier life.
This really hit me too. What happened in the west? We behave so differently in a really bad way. Like I wrote in another comment I can't even remember the last time I talked with one of my neighbours and I live in a 7 storey building.
@@hulduwhy don’t you talk to your neighbours? Don’t you like them?
I am a fourth generation Hokkien who was born overseas and has never stepped back into Fujian. Thank you for sharing a piece of my family's history. It was so wonderful seeing the tulou.
Please go back to check how your ancestors are living, you will find a more happy lifestyle.
Me too. My great grandfather came from Xiamen area. He fled by boat because of political unrest and killings.
@@heythave我是厦门人
@@I_am_your_father2024 Ni hao!
Just realized how clean China is. I did not see any garbage laying around through out the video.
My mother is Hakka, and I feel quite emotionally connected to what is shown in this video, even though I've never visited a tulou in person. We speak a completely different type of Hakka and I couldn't understand any of the Hakka here 😅😂 Just goes to show how many different types of spoken Hakka there are, as it varies according to the regions where Hakkas settled. Tq Yan, for showing us the lives of the genuine, local people, leading their everyday lives.
I don't seem to understand the Hakka spoken too. I only know two variations.
so true^^
You’re clever ❤
How mamy Hakka variations are there? I'm curious.
@@owitch I'm not sure but I know of at least 5 variants in Malaysia ie Fuichew, Tai Poo, Moy Yen, Kar Yen, Horpor. I'm sure there are more 😅
I have not had a Chinese vlogger come up on my feed before and have never been to China and only watched some documentaries mainly about the city life, work conditions and on politics and economy..
This was a lovely video. These houses are amazing. I have subscribed and look forward to watching more of your travel videos around the country. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪
Same!
Erin go braugh.👍🇨🇦
I previously watched some vloggers who were foreigners living in China. They were fluent in Mandarin.
However, after a couple years something happened between them and the Chinese authorities who clearly wished to censor them. Both of them ended up moving to Taiwan and their channels turned very sour and negative about the mainland Chinese government. It was a great shame to see that happen to two guys who were so in love with China.
Unfortunately the CCP has very poor judgement about such matters.
This video is making me feel things about the collective nature of humans. Working together to raise and maintain a community. I can hear the thundering footsteps of all the children running through the hallways as all their parents doorsteps fly by. And playing out in the courtyard, always within sight of home.
this kind of communal living has always created interbreeding, a whole nation that looks the same doesn't happen over night
Imagine living in a sewer like that and still talking good things about it,
I am indian girl but I always been fascinated with traditional chinese culture.
As a Chinese person living many years in foregin country it almost brings tears to my eyes to be able to see authentic exploration of the many beauties of our motherland. I really miss China, going back soon! Thank you !
Same here.
I lived in China for many years and this channel is superb, absolutely the best I have ever seen. This is the real China. I miss it so much. It also shows how food is celebrated in China like nowhere else. Thank you so much.
Politics really poisons everything.
@@mrskwrl western propaganda*
@@fatalmokrane Any propaganda! 😑
I was born and raised Midwest United States.. and I was absolutely blown away at the fact she kept walking into people's homes! Like people she'd never met before, she would walk up to their front door and stand there... and the people would quickly say "are you visiting?" or they would quickly wave her into the door. Men, women, elderly.. everyone. Wow. It's so sad, but here in the US, in the times we live, if my daughter decided to take road trip across the country alone... I'd be so afraid it would be the last time I saw her.. and it very well could be.
And you think that you could give people you’ve never met unattended access to your child in China?
It's mostly because now everyone is living in big cities and only visit the countryside for new years or to see relatives. They probably thought she was related to the family some way.
Yes, people CAN be shot dead by showing up in the driveway because of fear and our rights to carry guns.
Yeah Imagine a Black person showed to such hospitality lol. gtfo here with that Make America great again Bs. That dream was only for whites.
@@heythave Oh you mean that one story you saw from NY state that the media popularized despite the fact that morders happen all over that state weekly? And you think that makes it ok for you to generalize that “ *people* are shot dead by showing up in the driveway” ?
Woah is this the kind of communal home that inspired Big Fish & Begonia, like even the wells, and the playgrounds are so similar, it's so magical to see the home coming to life!
Big fish and begonia! Thank you for reminding me of that wonderful film
A Hakka-Indonesian here.
It may not be that widely known but there is a life-sized Tulou here in Jakarta that also serves as Indonesian Hakka Museum 😊
Where is it??
@@owitch within the complex of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
中国人祝福印尼华人
I'm a Hokkien born overseas and I have never known this (I was so intrigued by it when I saw it on Mulan) Growing up, we've been to China many times but never visiting this communal place. I guess one day I can bring it up to my dad when we plan on visiting China again. Thanks for sharing!
I was looking for somebody else thinking of Mulan! Never thought communal house were a thing. Super interesting!
Tulou is my home.
@@rscl22 Ah speaking about Mulan, yeah it is a thing in Southern Dynasty since back then! Although that's quite inaccurate since Mulan is supposed to live in Northern Dynasty.
@@yuhyi0122 very interesting! Thank you very much for sharing that info :)
@@rscl22 you’re welcome! If you’re interested in how chinese people view Mulan, there’s review on AvenueX channel, I got it from there!
Thank You, Yan, for this special tour of Tolous. The welcoming and hospitality accorded to you , a stranger, from the good lady and her neighbours , probably the outcome of community living and life of sharing, giving and tolerance. Good to know that such fast- disappearing kindness still exist. Good Work!
You’ve got yourself a new subscriber.
I love that you go to less touristy places.
That’s where you find the real people’s spirit.
Great work, love the music you selected.
At 18:37, this pickled pear is made from traditional lactobacillus-fermented Asian sweet pears, a famous appetizer in Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi. The process involves lacto-fermentation, producing lactase that makes the pickled pear rich in nutrients and refreshing, with a noticeable slimming effect. Similar to how Western medicine uses lactase to make tablets aiding appetite and digestion, this pickled pear is beloved by many young women. I tasted it once in a beverage shop in Guangxi and was instantly captivated. During that occasion, I consumed around ten pickled pears on my own.
Your channel makes Chinese culture a bit more accessible, and it all looks super genuine. I found china to be quite obscure/dense to the western world and for visitors who might not have a friend in China to show them around. Thanks for this! I think this channel is quite a novelty.
That’s not by accident. The CCP is largely to blame for that unfortunately.
They only want to show the world the “best” parts of China. Sadly much of the nuance is lost. Ironically, this video showcases a more “real” form of socialism than what the CCP represents. Sad that their agenda for growth at all costs (read:capitalism) is drawing most of their youth away to let places like this decay.
@johnthompson5333maybe that’s because Chinese ppl can’t make videos
Not only the visual of these communities and their construction was fascinating, but the hospitality of all of the people was a joy to see. You did a great job in presenting this lifestyle. This is not something that I normally watch, but you intrigued me from the start. Well done.
community living and joint families were the norm in ancient cultures - save space, smaller carbon footprint, social development, childcare, senior care, continuous learning!
Alot of public housing for the elderly in the US is moving towards similar buildings because studies have shown how much communal interactions improve older people's health. Cool to see these historic micro communities, thanks for sharing.
It improves everyone's health -- this is how humans are supposed to live after all!
@@binimbap it improves everyone's health as long as the neighborhood aren't toxic.
Not just for the elderly but *everyone* living in such a place. I'm sure it isn't always sunshine but then again is it anywhere in this world nowadays? I'd pack my bags and move into such a housing in a heartbeat but we have nothing even remotely close to that in my country.
@@hulduNo. No you wouldn't.
@@chrish4439 You mean no I *couldn't* . Big difference.
that lady was so kind showing you around
The grandma was so cute with her whispers
its nice to see people passionate about where they are from
These buildings have been standing longer than the United States has been a country! What an amazing look into the beautiful historical architecture of China.
Edit: I see people have made this their place to post ignorant comments so allow me to cite specific parts of the video for you.
16:53 This house is also 2 or 3 hundred years old.
19:17 This one is built in the Ming dynasty. (which ended in 1644)
19:50 This one has a history of more than 400 years.
19:55 It was renovated last year (2022).
And from the looks of it hasn't had another second spent repairing it since it was built. That entire building looks like it is rotting and one earth quake away from collapsing on all those people.
Too bad most China just throws up extremely cheap short lived buildings now....
@@oldleatherhandsfriends4053 There are a lot of places on this planet that do not have earth quakes.
@@Kali-Yuga-Peace-Corp And the US is a home for earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes. So buildings and houses are mandated to follow building codes.
Wow. Thank you to the Chinese residents who shared their stories with us. Amazing that some of these are 400 years old. Very historical.
This type of community is brilliant. Such support for every age. Having the kitchens on the ground floor and the open central courtyard is very friendly, no loneliness living here. No privacy either, but as you age that becomes less important. I found it interesting that they were lived in by a single clan.
very very brillant
i feel very lonesome here in Germany😢
I have to disagree with your comment about privacy becoming less important as you age. I'm 73 and I definitely value my privacy, lol. I would love to have my family all around me instead of spread all ove rthe U.S., but even with them, I still need my privacy. Not being disagreeable, just saying. 😊
Ummmm, I have cousins that had like 8 sibilings they value there privacy and all live away from eachother. They value there privacy as do I .
Source from a Close knit Muslim Family. Privacy and space is verrrrrry much important espically in these time as the elders are just so different how things are done in current times.
As I get older I value my privacy way more then I did in the past.
As well privacy for keeping a job as well. (I habent a single clue wth the op is talking about)
There can be alot of abuse in such areas as well. If you dont fit in, it can be very much a personal hell hole and a path towards extreme isolation and stillness.
Both the narration and architecture was beautiful. I often feel that modern buildings in my country don't reflect our history may be it is the same in China. Modern architecture should get inspiration from these buildings so it gets preserved and doesn't look like any other modern city in the world. Greetings from India
Yes, I agree especially these communities are basically super blocks, in fact super super blocks. While they do need some good modern infrastructure.
Curry Curry Curry 🍛🍛🍛🍛
This is SO COOL to see on TH-cam ! I may never get to see these parts of China in person and I’m so grateful you are able to share your travels with us armchair voyagers!
The design of these community buildings is most aesthetic and futuristic, open air, sunlight, clean...... blessings from India ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
thank you for this awesome video! Born as a hokkien(fujian) in Singapore and with my mum's side as cantonese, im so blessed to be able to understand both hokkien & cantonese, hakka have such a similarity with hokkien and cantonese at the same time! Now im residing in Australia, these videos helps alot of us living in western countries to appreciate our heritage so much more! Hope to be able to explore China more too in future times!
This was beautifully shot, and the locals there all seemed like such sweet and authentic people. I wanted to hug all of those grandmas!!
I don't know why, but even though I'm not Hakka and both sides of my family have their origins in the northern and central parts of China rather than the south, this tulou still feels like home. I think it's because the people seem extraordinarily hospitable, and the interiors of their homes look just like those of other homes I've visited while in China.
I'm sure communal living has its downsides, but given my current living situation (alone), living in a tulou actually seems like it wouldn't be so bad, even if I had to give up some creature comforts.
Truly authentic . The woman who showed you all around reminds me of my village where the people are as friendly as she is. There are no such large community houses in India. It is really a unique culture . Just imagine how closely knit is the community. Wonderful, extraordinary, Great . Sad to see that such traditions are not promoted nowadays. And hence LOVE & AFFECTION within the communities are dwindling. Thank you so much for showing us the real , old , authentic , beautiful CHINA . I wish CHINESE will take all the necessary steps to preserve their culture . LOVE FROM INDIA 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Not so large but India do have rectangular Tulou type Chawls we call it in Maharashtra. Not as big to house more than 20-40 people though. Building style is similar with rammed clay built with Teak wood load bearing structures.
My mother's family is from a village and whenever I visit them they're so nice. The villagers treat you like family right away even though they know you're only a visitor. Nice to see that this kind of human interaction is universal in other places around the world too. Great channel.
…Well…kinda. She had to get permission from the CCP before going and the local CCP head from that village would have first visited the dwellings she would be allowed to film at, and spoke to the residents about “friendly interactions.”……
As a Chinese, the content producer is not allowed to film locally for an international audience (even TH-cam) without CCP oversight; they are very paranoid over what the outside world sees of China….Only exception to this oversight are the vids shown on shows such as, “China Insights” or “China Observer”-but these are vids taken off the Chinese app, What’sApp-and were not made for outside consumption…
@@Shineon83 ok, because I was wondering how was she able to move about so freely without seeing the CCP being all over this and she's on TH-cam also which I was so amazed. But I still appreciate seeing the authentic China with county sides and unique little cities and villages.
@@jdub7775 😂 I'm just happen to see such a insane comment like above... The story is just LMAO that ccp is auditting every video. Political junk like above just popping everywhere which is quite annoying...
@@Shineon83 You can come to China by yourself. I can guarantee that the CCP won't prevent you from going anywhere, filming any video, or uploading it wherever you want😅 Indeed, China has a population of 1.4 billion people, and millions of tourists visit every year. Do you understand the scale of this? Do you really believe the CCP can engage in some "friendly interactions" with every local before each tourist arrives? Well, it seems like every CCP member would need a hundred clones to accomplish that.
@@Shineon83 Ah yes "Elizabeth Loveland", you sure sound "Chinese" with that white @ss name and white @ss avatar lol, go back to your hole, westerner.
Wow this is very good. I am not sure but I feel very satisfied watching your content. I don't know what makes it so attractive but I am addicted to your videos
Why am I crying watching this.
I think Tulou is an inspiration behind architecture of Apple's headquarter. It's so beautiful and we'll organised structure. Why does modern society declines our ancient way of living, it was way more meaningful and beautiful than the modern one. Love from India ❣️🇮🇳😊
The people you meet are all soooo nice …my heart always melts and go soft when i see them welcome you with a smile ….i use to live in china for 6 years during those time i also meet a lot of nice people when i go far from the big cities…I always get teary when i see old people looking so happy and preserving their culture and traditions 💕
I loved watching this, the respect you gave to each person and happiness from everyone was beautiful. I love how welcoming everyone was and seeing your culture and the way everyone lives. I am Australian and we live so differently so it’s nice to see how others live 💕
Outstanding, Yan. You are an extremely talented documentary maker. You take the viewer along with you as you leisurely explore these remote locations. Your words are well chosen and enhance the visual experience. Thank you.
I like this concept of community living. I would love to have seen it filled with families, from babies to grand parents. A lovely secure way to live.
This is so freaking cool. It's like the Chinese version of those documentaries you see out here in the states about Appalachia and backwoods Alabama or Louisiana swamp people. I love this so much. And all the residents who participated seem so gracious and friendly. God bless them all.
….Pretty sure she had to get permission from Nat’l CCP before going there (and local CCP would have first visited the communal houses she would be allowed to film at to speak to the residents to request friendly cooperation - the ppl in the vid were very friendly-but also had the formal stiffness you have when you think there will be a big audience)….Just a hunch.
@@Shineon83 you must be American because in any other country if you go to rural areas they will treat you this kindly. there’s no need for coercion, this is how a close community acts like naturally (hell, I’m from Spain and if you go to any small town they will even invite you for dinner without knowing you)
Last year I just found out I have Chinese blood no wonder my father side look east asians. It is so cool to know a bit of my ancestry. I'm from the Philippines. These videos are so authentic and speaks from the hearts. Kudos!
I'd love to live in a community like this. I wish more urban housing was like this.
So cozy and together ☺️
(No, you don't. We had them here in the USA; they were called housing projects.) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabrini%E2%80%93Green_Homes
How wonderful that the residents were happy to host you and play the role of tour guide during your visit! Very kind!
I am in awe? This is BEYOND Awesome! This is a new place on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing the culture, the heritage and the history.
I love learning about other cultures. My 7th grade teacher used to go to China every summer and show us his photos but they don’t tell the whole story. I’ve learned so much more from TH-cam than I ever learned in school.
This just showed up in my feed and I have to say, the TH-cam algorithm did good work this time! What a fascinating vlog and a delightfully charming hostess. Wonderful content! I loved to see how the Hakka people lived, courtesy of the hospitable Hakka lady who gave you such an insightful tour. In fact, all these wonderful people were so hospitable! Thank you so much for this terrific insight in everyday Chinese life. I send you many warm greetings and huge hugs from Scotland x
This is the best video ever on Hakka I have seen.
I'm going to introduce this video to my Hakka Heritage community in Toronto Canada.
Hello Yan, I found this video by chance. As a Chinese-American, I'm really enjoying this exposure to a different side of China I've never seen before. Thank you for the subtitles too, as my Chinese has been getting rusty and it really helps me to practice. Subscribed!
🇨🇳❤🇺🇸🤝
欢迎有时间回到中国来游玩，我在杭州，随时欢迎你。
Wowww nice place,,, that circle nice for drone shote
This is so wholesome. You can see how happy the elders get speaking to you. It's so sweet.
It looks peaceful. I am sure that eventually some younger Chinese people will realize that they appreciate living alone, find peace in living naturally offgrid and may return to these places. Right now there is just so much intense pressure on young chinese people to be "married" and work a competitive job. I know poverty isn't glamorous and there is little incentive (and backlash) to "going back to the countryside," but to me this looks ideal. I would be okay with a slower pace of life, finding my own food, trading goods and getting along with elders. I wish governments would stop making younger people leave to find aggressive jobs that don't protect them in cities that are too expensive.
I just discovered your channel and it is a treasure trove of Chinese people and their culture.
I found it beautiful and eye opening! Your videos are so well made and edited that I feel like I'm there on a journey with you and all of those wonderful people you've met.
Thank you for your amazing work! Greetings from Croatia 😊
It’s amazing how grand these buildings are and how well they are kept considering the age.
I was just about to say the same, it's really sad how the younger generation abandoned the first one that was shown though. The home itself seemed sad to be empty.
I am a 4th generation overseas Chinese/Hakka, our family members visited one of the tulou where the Hakka lives, our ancestor's homeland few years back. ♥️
I noticed an especially large Chinese Hakka community in the city of Niagara, Canada. Near my home, it always seemed that everyone was Cantonese or Taiwanese.
I love this! I took Mandarin in high school and I became fascinated with Chinese culture. It's so wonderful to see the sense of community in villages. Your video has inspired me to start learning the language again!
I would love to visit this place one day.
A fascinating glimpse into life and architecture in rural China. I've seen ancient Chinese furniture in the British Museum that look contemporary to 20th century Danish design. Although the buildings are over 400 years old, the style looks little more than late nineteenth century. After twenty minutes, the atmosphere had a very calming effect.
Spectacular! Who knew any of this existed?! Some people still live in these homes & I'm glad the ones who moved out still come back to celebrate Spring Festival & plan renovations. These are family homes, after all, & there is still pride & respect. Thank you for taking us beyond the tourist sites!
So refreshing to see natural life and kind people, all around... you make us like Chinese people, not complicated life and turmoil of big cities. Thank you and keep your lovely smile.
Beautiful built cultural heritage. What a treasure.
I always wanted to see China and find traditional china fascinating. The way people used to live is amazing and very communal. so interesting.
Amazing video as always! China is a big place with many different groups and cultures.
So far I've watched all of your videos with every second and I have learned a lot from them. Thank you Yan! 🥰
and many mysteries of a rich cultured history!
In all the videos that I’ve watched, the people are always friendly and willing to talk to her and give her lots of information about their place/culture/community. The grandpa she talked to in the 2nd tulou she visited reminded me of my grandpa the way he was dressed - the dress shirt, vest, and the beret/hat. Even the way he was sitting on the chair with his legs crossed as he was watching over his baozi. 😊
….Uh….there’s a reason for that (you DO know that she must get all filming approved beforehand by the Nat’l CCP? And that local Communist leaders visit whichever places she intends to visit first-and ensure residents will show a “friendly face” of China to an international audience)? She wouldn’t dare film without permission as she could be arrested (only exception would be if it were to be posted only on What’sApp - the Chinese version of TH-cam)
@@Shineon83 you have proof of this? and what difference would it make. if you wouldnt be hospitable to people without a government telling you thats a you problem
@@hhhahahhhahha It’s law in China (and carries severe penalties if violated). No filming for foreign usage, without CCP approval….You may very well be right : all of the ppl in the vid may have been just as nice without any prodding by local CCP….(but, we’ll never really know, will we)?
@@Shineon83 Again, what difference would it make and what use is your speculation without evidence other than to raise doubt. The CCP is actually the reason your mom and friends are nice to you too, otherwise they'd be treating you like the annoyance you are
@@Shineon83 you do look like a clown in here 🤡
You're definitely more than a tourist, this is like anthropology! It's really cool, and I love being able to experience other lives and parts of the world even if it's virtual.
I watched a documentary on these round houses when I was a small child. I have always wanted to know more about them and asked around when I lived in China (Heilongzhang province) but nobody was able to tell me more. I'm so glad you are making recordings of these old places before everything is too westernised. Those cobbled mosaics and wooden architectural designs are so beautiful. The houses in the documentary I watched (circa early 1990's) had bigger animals in the centre: cows, goats and pigs. I find it so sad that only the elderly seem to live in these communes now.
Very interesting! It made me wonder if "little villages" like these could be a solution for housing our homeless who are now in tents or just outside on the ground. Room enough to have some services on site like counseling, doctor, food... maybe even some schoolrooms.
Toronto needs this
中国有中共设置的救济站，最少每个县(省＞市＞县＞村)一个，钢筋混凝土建成的(也许你们称之为永久性建筑)，为所有无家可归者开放，里面提供一些临时的设施和帮助让无家可归者暂时渡过难关。这也是中国很少有无家可归者的原因。
I was thinking the very same thing. I wish this video was introduced to every city planner and every city counsel member in America, to help the homeless.
WOnderful ! I love the narrations, video, the story and the presentation. Thank You! Keep up the Good Work!
Another great video and really enjoyed seeing how open the residents are to showing strangers around their homes-can't wait to get back to China from UK, now air fares are below £1000.
I was in a Tuluo place in April 2019-I managed to get up at 6.45, having banged my head on the pillow, 7 times, the night before. We had a breakfast of bacon and eggs, plus cereal, but no coffee provided. Then went out to wait for our tour bus to pick us up at 8.10. My wife, Ling got a call to say they would be 10 minutes late as other customers were late getting up. Again, I pointed out to Ling, ‘why travel to Xiamen, a city of about 7 million people, with loads of parks, rivers, shopping centres, museums etc, for 2 nights and spend a whole day, driving 100 miles to somewhere else?
We got on at 8.20 with 3 girls. There were 18 of us in total, 5 guys, including me and 13 ladies. We had a 3 hour drive ahead of us, with 2 toilet breaks, which I had to go on, in case of wanting to go before the next stop. No sit downs, but I only wanted a pee, which is all I can manage when most of the ‘hole in the ground’ have liquids all over the floor, so I have to roll up my trousers and try to ignore the state of the soles of my shoes.
The temperature today was 32 degrees, most of it spent outside, apart from 6 hours driving (there and back).
Our 2nd stop was at a garage, with a girl selling bananas, from a stall under an umbrella, in banana territory, as we could see plantations everywhere, in a place called Nanjing-not the one in Jiangshi, as we were in Fujian, home of the Tulou people.
Even though it was just a fruit stall, she still had a bar code square on her stall, accepting payments online with Wei Chat. She also had a light, made of an empty plastic water bottle, plus a few flies.
We bought 2 yellow bananas and 2 red ones, for 9 yuan, doing a brisk trade from our group, as most didn’t have much time for breakfast.
The driver set off again, after practising his English on me and seemed friendly, until the tour guide warned us about the danger of some biting insects in the mountains, but the driver could sell us some cream for 60 yuan, which we later found out you could buy for 25 in a shop.
Not many windows in the round building. We didn’t see what kind of toilets/bedrooms/living rooms they had, but maybe a few public toilets-not sure if they even had showers.
Anyway, the one we came to for lunch, had a couple of largish rooms, catering for about 10 people, with basic mud brick walls and timber ceilings, with the doors open to let in the light.
The food was OK, boiled mouli, cabbage, chicken and fried sardines, rice etc and was reasonable.
Then we drove on into the mountains, to a square shape tulou building, which was about 350 years old, built on a swamp, which they demonstrated, by getting everyone to jump up and down in the courtyard and you could see the ground moving.
We bought a couple of cheap but not bad souvenirs-key rings and small model of a round building. We walked through a pleasant park, with yellow and red flowering avenue of trees.
Then we drove on to a larger area, having to pass through turnstyles and walking along an attractive river side, with weirs and amazing trees, centuries old, with long trailing creepers and twisted and gnarled trunks, but luxuriant canopy of leaves.
The paths were made of large stones, which were difficult to negotiate under foot and lined with small shops selling souvenirs and various foods.
There were hotels etc and I daresay you could find a nice place to stay, overlooking the river and feeling at peace, with the rippling of the water and twitter of birdsong, apart from the 50 or so tour guides, creaming into microphones.
We stopped for a tea demonstration, almost missing it as we went down the wrong street, until someone came chasing after us.
We were given some free samples of different teas, by an attractive girl, wearing a Mickey Mouse T shirt, but when it came to paying 220 yuan for half a kilo, we all got up and hastily left. Stalls outside were selling the same tea at around 70 yuan.
Our local lady tour guide got very upset with our lot who didn’t buy anything
We carried on down the river and crossed over some stepping stones to another village, into another large museum in the Tulou style and went upstairs to enjoy the views, but didn’t go inside any rooms, as mostly had padlocks on the doors. There were some nice displays of pottery and oil lamps downstairs, which must have been a fire risk, for the whole structure was first made of wood, with dried mud and stone on the outside.
Lastly, we went to another place by bus, to another Tulou building, where a local lady talked us into getting our photos taken and laminated it-costing 10 yuan. Then a local tour guide invited us into her home-well on the kitchen on the ground floor where she gave us some samples of dried fruits etc, which she later tried to sell us. We left after that, but maybe some people bought something.
By then it was around 6.00 pm and I was pretty exhausted with heat and being out in the sun all day, apart from the coach. About 7.00, we stopped at a basic rest place and had a bowl of noodles each. Some people laughed when I tried to get the long slippery noodles into my bowl, but they weren’t much better at it. I think Ling and one other person managed to get a full bowl.
It looks like a bad experience lol
This was so interesting! I never would have thought that there are such old, nice houses like a small village in modern China. Also the people are very kind.
People in rural areas are way more nice and friendly than in the cities. Cities make people mean and selfish.
It’s like watching a documentary! The only difference is that this is done without an entourage and crew with high tech equipment ( apart from your drone shots ) and production company! Kudos to you Yan !
The lady that ended up being her tour guide was so kind! She made me smile. What a beautiful culture and village.
Fabulous channel, very interesting to b able to witness almost forgotten history... appreciates so much to view all tis,tq❤❤❤
I'm from the UK and I must say that this way of living is so beautiful! The sense of warmth and community is truly incredible! Much love 🙏🤍
I really have never seen a video quite like this one. It feels so comfortable, like I'm just spending time chatting with extended family. There's something really special about you and the way you approach making videos. Totally subscribed. Can't wait to see more 😊
Loved watching this video, as a young citizen of China ensure these buildings are saved as part of the country’s heritage. It’s goods it’s still being lived in and you took us around and it was joyous to view❤
Only in Haiti did I experience this level of human experience where strangers were instantly family... despite any and all differences between us. Like these people, Haitians I stayed with were some of the most lively, colorful people I've met despite their socioeconomic status.... that's not how that village viewed the world.... it was amazing... it was so important everyone ate despite the lack of food and us politely saying we didn't need so much but we learned that we were a part of the community while there bc our intentions to come help the local orphanage and bc my family has strong ties there too, the Haitians only judged us off our intentions... the community feel was like nothing I've experienced before or since. And like these communities- there's a magic in comraderary that is the purest connection BTW ppl.
These structures have fascinated me since I first saw them in a satellite picture! Such a GREAT CONCEPT: a HUGE "Family home," with multiple generations living together, able to see one another, speak with and assist each other, share goods and efforts, and just really LIVE AS A COMMUNITY! I had heard or read these were originally built with NO WINDOWS on the ground floor, and with ONLY ONE door there, also. That single door wasn't terribly large, but was a sturdy door that could be closed, locked, & barricaded, in times of trouble. With water being available INSIDE the structure from a well, and most of the 2nd floor utilized as storerooms for produce & other goods, the structure could be closed up into a contained, safe, and well-stocked citadel of security for the entire clan.
*A truly **_LOVELY_** idea; I would LOVE to be able to build one & live there!* (I believe the center part could become a REALLY _WONDERFUL_ "kitchen garden" area!)
Who in 2023 needs to barricade from an enemy? Not having windows or ventilation is harmful to health. Read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.
After watching this,I actually looked up Guzhu area on google map and very amazed that there are so many tulou. Im amazed and love that the people preserve their historical homes, coming back on holidays for celebrations instead of allowing modern houses being built on the land.
Watching this , put a smile on my face, I absolutely Love China, and to see such traditions, its a treat, Thank you for posting it, God Bless All of you, keep smiling, keep happy, and look after each others always. 🥰
I bet the little kids have such a great time living there. It takes a village to raise children. I can imagine the elders pitching in helping and passing on traditions to the young people.
Yan, Thank you very much for taking us to view this authentic heritage Tulou traditional home, hopefully one day UNESCO will recognize it as one of the world world heritage building.
The toulous were given World Heritage status by UNESCO in 2008.
Already did in early 2000