Published : 06/07/2025

On July 6, 2008, the 32nd session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO was held in Quebec City, Canada. During the meeting, China's unique large residential buildings, "Fujian Tulou," were officially inscribed on the World Heritage List.

That afternoon, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee began reviewing various candidates for World Cultural Heritage. China's "Fujian Tulou" was the third to be reviewed and successfully passed to be included in the World Heritage List.

The Fujian Tulou, which successfully became a World Heritage site, is composed of 46 tulous, including the Chuxi Tulou group, Hongkeng Tulou group, Gaobei Tulou group, Yianxiang Lou, and Zhenfu Lou in Yongding County; Tianluokeng Tulou group, Hekeng Tulou group, Hegui Lou, and Huaiyuan Lou in Nanjing County; and the Dadi Tulou group in Hua'an County.

According to members of the Chinese delegation from Fujian Province who attended the meeting, Fujian Tulou follows the oriental philosophy of "harmony between humans and nature".

The buildings of Fujian Tulou are typically constructed using local materials, with their sites chosen to either conform to the natural contours of the hills or follow the course of streams.

Their architectural style is simple yet rugged, with a unique and elegant form, appropriate proportions, and a comprehensive practicality.

Harmonising beautifully with the surrounding green mountains, clear waters, and pastoral scenery, they create a liveable environment that exemplifies the harmonious unity between humanity and nature.

Experts pointed out that Fujian Tulou has a unique shape, grand scale, and ingenious structure. This type of architecture was inscribed as a World Heritage site because it is a historical witness to the oriental kinship and clan-based living traditions, showcasing exceptional earthen architecture art achievements that are "universally outstanding in value".