Keeping the tulou standing strong

Preservation is a top government priority when it comes to the tulou, according to a local official with Yongding county, Fujian province. Since the tulou was included on the World Heritage list in July, the local government has been taking steps to protect and develop the tulou with scientific guidance.

The county created Fujian's first cultural relic bureau for the task. But the process began long before 23 of the structures gained international recognition. Over the last ten years, the government of Yongding has poured 100 million yuan ($14 million) into preservation of the tulou.

Each of the inducted structures will be sheltered by three specific protection zones. The core area will be completely preserved, with the entire property maintaining its original ecology. The buffer zone will also develop under tight regulations.