Tulou - World Heritage Preservation
Code: 0e7e38a6da20462e95d503b3d02e624e Copied
About the project
Tulou - World Heritage Preservation
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
💼 What the programme involves
Project Needs: Tulous (土楼) are unique Chinese rural dwellings built between the 12th and 20th centuries by the mountainous Hakka people living in Fujian. The Tulou were defensive buildings built to stand up against thieves. In China, the Chinese traditional concept called “Feng-Shui” focuses on the relationship between human being and nature. Therefore, the Tulous were built with great consideration of the harmony with and respect for their surrounding nature in a very sustainable and energy efficient way, using local materials. They are interdependent with the mountains and rivers and form an ecological connection with nature over time.
However, with globalization and the expansion of cities today, the environment is sometime ignored and new structures are being built around the Tulous. Moreover, a Tulou is usually inhabited by one family clan of several generations, and the enclosed structure allows for members to work together defending each other. Individual rooms provide privacy, but there are also communal areas, which provides for cultural gatherings and communication. Nowadays, the community dependence is weakening with young inhabitants moving out to the cities for work or for school. Emphasis on private property is growing and villagers prefer living in larger and more modern buildings.
Activities:
Learn why and how to renovate Tulou and assist in renovating and beautifying its surrounding environment
Share the World/Cultural Heritage of your country with the local people
Make a promotional video about Tulou together with other volunteers to share about its social background, history, local culture, sustainable architecture and spread the impact of the project
Interact with local villagers through cultural activities
Participate in discussion on changemaking stories or ideas on world heritage preservation and sustainable building structures whether they are from your country or from others
Watch a movie to discover more about the Tulou
Learn the history of Tulou, its technology and design
🏠 Accommodation on site
🍲 Food
Basic local meals will be provided three times a day at a local villager’s home, with possibly a day where volunteers may cook and share their own country’s food.
📍 About the location
🎒 Leisure activities
Night walk with bamboo lanterns/possibility to see fireflies
Visit temples
Cook traditional food/Rice's wine
Hiking
⚠️ Requirements
High motivation and openness to local culture
Open minded person
A tourist visa is necessary
🤝 Meeting point
Nearest airport : Xiamen airport
ℹ️ Additional information
The volunteers will be managed by 2 people from the association and other people who will come regularly.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
DWC-03-17
19/08/2017 → 27/08/2017
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–99 years old
Solidarity donation
1200.00 CNY ≈ 161 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Yongding, Longyan, Fujian, China
China
🌍 Location info
Local currency
China Yuan Renminbi (CNY / ¥ (元))
Exchange rate
1 CNY = 0.134181 EUR
Rate as of 31/05/2026
Timezone
China Standard Time
Local time: 21:03 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🗣️ Languages spoken