Spatial Order and Typology of Hakka Dwellings

Hakka dwellings are well known as the circular and square or rectangular shaped Tulou (rammed earth construction houses). These domiciles in which those known as the Hakka live are located at the border regions of the three provinces of Fujian, Jiangxi and Guangdong. It is generally known that the Hakka are Han Chinese, moved southward around the 4th century from the Central Plain of the Huanghe River and migrated to the present locations through the 4 or 5 time large moves until modern times. They moved by using major rivers and other waterways, into the provinces like Fujian, entered the mountainous regions and constructed the houses they could feel be safe. Typical housing styles in each province are following: In Fujian, "Quinti" is the traditional housing complex and "Tulou" is well known as the "Yuanlou". In Jiangxi, "Tuwei" called as "Fangwei" is the rectangular shaped plan housing. And the "Weilongwu" is typical style in Guangdong. Amongst these, Tianluokeng and other villages in Fujian, which are famous as a World Heritage Site, yet represent the one type among numerous types of Tulou. In this paper, the author presents his studies on the spatial order and typology of Hakka dwellings, in the three provinces of Fujian, Jiangxi and Guangdong.