The document provides information about Tulou, a type of traditional Hakka earthen structure in China. It describes Tulou as a circular structure made of compacted earth that surrounds a central shrine or ancestral hall. Tulou housed extended family clans and provided defense. The largest surviving Tulou, Chengqi Lou, has 4 concentric rings, 400 rooms, and was built in the Ming and Qing dynasties to accommodate a large clan.

1. Name : Hiew Li Ming
Student ID : 0319941
Module : COM03103
Session : September, 2014
Effective Public Communication

2. Chengqi Lou, King of Tulou

3. What is Tulou?
A Hakka Traditional House ( Hakka Earthen House)
Historic collection of buildings which around 300KM
southwest of Fuzhou
Usually a circular configuration surrounding a central
shrine
Mainly construct in Ming and Qing dynasties

4. Internal village
Usually occupied by one large family clan
It had defense function
Representative of a unique style of Chinese communal
architecture

5. History Background
Built since the Neolithic Period ( 6000 years ago )
People migrated from Central China to Fuzhou because of
warfare and drought
Design to keep out wild animal too
Central

6. Layout
• “ Community of equals ”
• Made up of 4 concentric rings
• Surrounding an ancestral hall at the
centre
• Each floor has 8 staircases
• 400 rooms
• 4 firewalls
• Diameter, 62.5M ; height, 12.4M

7. Structure
Outer structure
• 4 stories
• Ground floor : cooking and
eating
• First floor : storage
• Second floor and third floor :
bedroom and living room
Second Structure
• Only 1 floor
• Families usually gather at here
Third structure
• Study room
Inner structure
• Courtyard
• Use for praying, gathering and
discussion

8. Materials
Wall of outer surface : compacting earths, stones, bamboo,
wood and other readily materials ( 1.8M thick )
Main gate : 100 – 300 mm thick wooden doors reinforces
with an outer shell of iron plate.
Inner surface : usually use wooden block to build only

9. Conclusion