May 12, 2012

Long House in Putien (Fujian Province of China)

We had been driving along the road for more than 2 hours when we saw this beautiful long house down in the valley!!

the mist was coming down fast and we had to get out of the van to take some photos as soon as possible. There were many bends in the highway so it was also not too safe to stop for too long. But our driver was very kind and obliged.
Another long house of"  red mud" walls and concrete floor. Here the doors are very obvious. However an additional characteristics = upper floor balconies which go around the front and sides. These are again divided by walls to delineate family units. 
A view of on of the longest longhouse we saw. A cement parth in the front...This longhouse was down in the valley.
We understand from some people that in the early 50's Chairman Mao encouraged many  provincial and local governments to construct these kinds of long houses to help increase the number of proper housing in the villages. People could live closer together and develop a strong communcal spirit. However  there is little reference or source to help further this discussion.

We were to meet many of these long houses...in fact we did wonder if there were longhouses built before 1950's in China.



Does any one have any stories about longhouses in the Fujian Province in China?  Has any research be done regarding them?

10 comments:

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

eye opener, may be Chairman Mao had an advisor from Sarawak. LOL

Ensurai said...

Ann

I don't know..the Chairman was a very well read person...he probably had read a lot..I like the idea of him having an advisor from Borneo..I tried to count the no. of doors of this house but got a bit stressed counting because the van had to move...

Anonymous said...

Not a surprise to me. In Fujian, there was tulou. I think this is just another version of tulou.
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Earth_building-yuchang3.jpg

Ensurai said...

Thanks...I have not seen a tulou myself and I do hope to visit or even stay in one for a short time...Thanks for the reference.

Anonymous said...

tulou is the UN World Heritage

engelingkong said...

Can I say the Dayak are coming from this place!!!

Ensurai said...

thanks anonymous.good to know that it is one of the world Heritage sites...

Ensurai said...

Engelingkong...It is one of the theories to say that the Dayaks come from this part of China...

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

tulou: I read this were built by the Hakkas, apart from Fujian, are there any in Kwong Tung?

Ensurai said...

Ann
as far as I know Tulou are found in Fujian (not far from Xiamen..we have plans to visit them)...I am not sure about Guangzhou...will let you know...

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