“Lights… camera… action!” Picture this. You are standing in Yunshuiyao Scenic Area, ready to step into a living movie set. This isn’t just any scenic spot. Yunshuiyao is famous thanks to the film “The Knot Town.” It is also a celebrated part of the Fujian Tulou World Cultural Heritage site.
Yunshuiyao Scenic Area has three main attractions. These lie along the river and the ancient Millennium Ancient Road. There is Huaiyuan Building. Then there is Yunshuiyao Ancient Town. Finally, there is the Hegui Building.
What first grabs your eye is the Hakka Tulou Clusters. They sit at the mountain’s foot, beside the streams, and across the fields. Take the Hegui Building, for example. It was built on a swamp and is known as the “first wonder in the world.” Huaiyuan Building shows exquisite craft and is well-protected.
Let’s dive into some Yunshuiyao Scenic Area facts. It is located in Pushan Village, Nanjing County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province. It is open all year round. A ticket costs 90 yuan per person. You will need about 2-3 hours to see it properly.
Huaiyuan Building is a highlight. Today, Yunshuiyao Scenic Area has 53 well-preserved tulou. Huaiyuan Building stands out. It was built between 1905 and 1909. It is a rare double-ring tulou. The outer ring is for living. The smaller inner ring is a school called “Si Shi Room.” Ancestor worship and important events happen here.
Huaiyuan Building is a masterpiece of Chinese residential architecture. It was even the model for the animation movie “Big Fish and Begonia.” Green mountains surround it. The views are stunning. As you walk the ancient road, see the ancient banyan trees. Their branches create a huge umbrella.
Next, we have Yunshuiyao Ancient Town. This ancient village has a long history. It was once called Changjiao. After “The Knot Town” was filmed here, it became Yunshuiyao Ancient Town. This town has ancient banyan trees. A wide river flows through it. There are 13 ancient banyan trees on the bank. The largest has a crown that covers 1,933 square meters. Its branches stretch over 30 meters.
Under the banyan trees, there is a thousand-year-old road paved with pebbles. Tourists have worn the pebbles smooth. This ancient road stretches over 10 kilometers. It used to be the only route from Longyan City to Zhangzhou City. Today, it is known as “Yunshuiyao Ancient Road.” Old brick and wood houses line the road. This is the old market of Yunshuiyao Ancient Town. It has stood for hundreds of years.
Lastly, we have the Hegui Building. It is spectacular. In 2003, Fujian Tulou became a World Heritage site. Hegui Building was included. It is the tallest tulou with 200 years of history.
Hegui Building is square. It was built in the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty. It covers 1547 square meters. Hegui means valuing peace. The Jian clan built it. They did not know the site was a swamp. After building the first floor, the building began to sink. They drove stakes into the walls. They rammed them. Finally, they built a five-story tulou. It has survived several earthquakes in 200 years.
Yunshuiyao is more than just a scenic area. It is a living piece of history and culture. It shows amazing architecture. It also offers stunning natural beauty. As you leave, remember the stories. Remember the sights. Carry a piece of Yunshuiyao with you.